Center for Precision Public Health (CPPH) Launches Statewide Data Dashboard to Measure and Track Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in Michigan

OKEMOS, Mich. – MPHI Center for Strategic Health Partnership (CSHP) announces the launch of the MI ACE Data Dashboard today. The Data Dashboard displays ACE-related data in a format that is accessible to the general public and easy to navigate. ACE-related data will support communities in understanding the size and nature of ACEs in their community, identify populations with the highest needs, and tailor evidence-based strategies to prevent ACEs from occurring.

In Michigan, 68% of adults report experiencing one or more ACEs. ACEs are potentially traumatic or stressful experiences that can happen to anyone before the age of 18. ACEs are common, and they have the potential to negatively affect physical, behavioral and economic health outcomes. The more ACEs a child is exposed to, the more likely they are to experience poor outcomes. Not all children who experience ACEs develop chronic health problems. There are many protective factors — such as family and community support — that can offset the effects of ACEs.

“Focusing on prevention can dramatically reduce the negative impact of ACEs and ensure that children live happy, healthy, productive lives,” said Dr. Mathew J. Edick, director of MPHI’s Center for Strategic Health Partnerships and principal investigator for the project. “Ensuring that communities have access to ACEs data means they will be able to develop and implement prevention strategies that build upon the needs and strengths of their communities.”

The MI ACE Data Dashboard is organized into nine areas that are a part of a child’s life. These include home and family, access to care, school, neighborhood and community, abuse/neglect, system and policy factors, chronic disease, health risk factors, and mental health. For each area, dashboard users can explore the latest Michigan-specific data to see both negative health outcomes and protective factors for certain populations. The MI ACE Data Dashboard went live today and can be accessed at https://www.miacedata.org/.

MPHI is partnering with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Michigan Department of Education, the Michigan ACE Initiative, Central Michigan University, the Children’s Trust Michigan, and Youth Move Michigan to collaborate on this CDC-funded initiative. In addition to the Data Dashboard, the initiative is piloting a home-visiting prevention program and supporting the development of community-led public awareness campaigns.

This project is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under grant #6NH28CE002755-01-01.

The MI ACE Data Dashboard allows community members to tailor prevention strategies to the needs of their communities.