Description of the contract
The current work will be commissioned by PHW’s World Health Organization Collaborating Centre (WHOCC) on Investment in Health and Well-being, which leads the organisation’s international role in supporting investment in people’s health and well-being and driving sustainable development. The programme of work is being undertaken by the WHOCC on behalf of both Public Health Wales and Bolton Local Authority.
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as abuse, neglect and dysfunctional home environments have damaging impacts on individuals’ life chances. ACEs are associated with poor educational achievement and the adoption of health-harming behaviours, including smoking, alcohol consumption, drug use, risky sexual behaviour, violence and crime. They are also linked to the development of a wide range of health conditions, including mental illness, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease; and ultimately to premature mortality (Felitti et al, 1998; Bellis et al, 2014abc). However, many individuals that suffer ACEs are resilient to their harmful effects, with factors during childhood and adulthood such as trusted relationships, community support, and having a sense of control of the future being important aspects of resilience.
Despite the known associations between ACEs and poorer life outcomes, little is known about how ACEs may be affecting individuals’ health and wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic. The impacts of ACEs on physical, emotional and social well-being may affect individuals’ vulnerability to contracting COVID-19 and experiencing severe symptoms; their resilience or ability to cope during coronavirus restrictions; and their levels of acceptability and compliance with such restrictions. Individuals that have suffered ACEs may be less trusting of information from authorities and can have less access to resilience resources. During the coronavirus pandemic, many sources of resilience such as social relationships, access to services and engagement in sports and cultural activities have been disrupted.
This study aims to develop understanding on the impacts of ACEs on health and wellbeing in adults in the general population, and what factors may support resilience against the harmful effects of ACEs. The study will focus particularly on the impact of ACEs on health, wellbeing and coping during the coronavirus pandemic. The study is being conducted by the WHOCC on behalf of Public Health Wales and Bolton Local Authority and will be undertaken through a telephone survey with representative samples of adult residents across Wales and in Bolton.
The study will explore:
• How levels of ACEs may have altered how COVID-19 (and associated measures) have impacted individuals’ physical and mental health and well-being, and perceived quality of life;
• Whether those with higher levels of ACEs are more likely to report having been infected with COVID-19 and if ACEs influence the severity of illness;
• If ACEs are related to trust in information on coronavirus and acceptance and compliance with restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19; and
• How restrictions put in place to control COVID-19 have impacted access to resilience measures relied on by those with traumatic childhoods
Such data are critical to understand the health needs of individuals who may be suffering disproportionality during the pandemic, and support the development of appropriate responses.
|