Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are linked to an increased risk of premature death in adulthood. A study of 17,337 adults aged over 18 years found that those with six or more ACEs died nearly 20 years earlier than those without ACEs. The study used the ACE score, which counts the number of traumatic experiences during childhood, to assess cumulative exposure. People with six or more ACEs had a significantly higher average years of life lost (YLL) compared to those without ACEs. After adjusting for other factors, adults with six or more ACEs were 1.7 times more likely to die before age 75 and 2.4 times more likely to die before age 65. The study suggests that while ACEs are associated with increased premature mortality, the risk does not increase in a graded manner with the number of ACEs. The increase in risk was partially explained by documented ACE-related health and social problems, indicating other possible mechanisms by which ACEs contribute to premature death. The study highlights the importance of addressing ACEs to reduce premature mortality.Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are linked to an increased risk of premature death in adulthood. A study of 17,337 adults aged over 18 years found that those with six or more ACEs died nearly 20 years earlier than those without ACEs. The study used the ACE score, which counts the number of traumatic experiences during childhood, to assess cumulative exposure. People with six or more ACEs had a significantly higher average years of life lost (YLL) compared to those without ACEs. After adjusting for other factors, adults with six or more ACEs were 1.7 times more likely to die before age 75 and 2.4 times more likely to die before age 65. The study suggests that while ACEs are associated with increased premature mortality, the risk does not increase in a graded manner with the number of ACEs. The increase in risk was partially explained by documented ACE-related health and social problems, indicating other possible mechanisms by which ACEs contribute to premature death. The study highlights the importance of addressing ACEs to reduce premature mortality.