Adverse Childhood Experiences in Rural and Urban Contexts

Recent research shows that rural children are more likely than urban children to experience certain kinds of adversity. Researchers at the Maine Rural Health Research Center looked at how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have affected rural and urban adults. Using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Assessment, this study found that, while the prevalence of ACEs was comparable in rural and urban adults, over half of rural adults surveyed reported having ACE exposure.Among those with any ACE history, about one quarter experienced four or more ACEs. Policy implications and strategies are highlighted in this brief. Key Findings: Past research has shown that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have long-term, negative implications for health and well-being: as the number of ACEs increases, the risk for health problems in adulthood rises. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a significant problem among rural adults. Over half of rural residents reported some ACE exposure, and over one in ten reported high levels of exposure (four or more ACEs). After adjustment for demographics, rural and urban populations showed similar odds of experiencing high-level ACE exposure. Rural primary care providers can play a leadership role in forging community partnerships to raise public awareness about ACEs, conduct ACE-focused community needs assessments, and launch initiatives to create new services geared toward building resilience in families

Mental Health First Aid in Rural Communities: Appropriateness and Outcomes

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), an early intervention training program for general audiences, has been promoted as a means for improving population-level behavioral health (BH) in rural communities by encouraging treatment-seeking. This study examined MHFA\u27s appropriateness and impacts in rural contexts, using a mixed-methods approach to study MHFA trainings conducted from November 2012 through September 2013 in rural communities across the country. Findings show that MHFA appears aligned with some key rural needs. MHFA may help to reduce unmet need for BH treatment in rural communities by raising awareness of BH issues and mitigating stigma, thereby promoting appropriate treatment-seeking. However, rural infrastructure deficits may limit some communities’ ability to meet new demand generated by MHFA. MHFA may help motivate rural communities to develop initiatives for strengthening infrastructure, but additional tools and consultation may be needed