New Tool Measures Risk Factors

Fortunately, the reluctance to ask about certain conditions is a problem that at least some doctors realize exists. To combat it, a new tool was developed to assess the risk factors for major health issues that a patient may have, including diabetes, depression, heart disease, addiction, and several others. The ACE test is not perfect, but it does provide hints to doctors as to what might be causing your physical problems.

The ACE test is fairly simple and requires answers to 10 yes-or-no questions about childhood experiences. By answering honestly, doctors will determine the impact of childhood trauma on long-term health conditions.

However, the test hasn’t caught on with every physician. The reason? They believe the questions are too invasive and believe that asking them will lead to an emotional breakdown, something that will delay the precious time a doctor has to spend with any one individual.

The ACE test asks about the following:

1)    Childhood sexual trauma

2)    Suicides in the family

3)    Family history of drugs or alcohol