Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Questionnaire

Published: August 9, 2026Updated: August 17, 2026

A confidential survey about stressful or traumatic experiences that may have occurred before age 18, which can affect your long-term health, including heart health, and help you and your healthcare provider understand potential risks.

Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial TeamLast reviewed August 17, 2026Editorial policy

Key facts at a glance

LOINC: 111771-2
Short code: ACE.BRFSS
Synonyms: —
Category: cardiac
Sample: serum
Container: Not applicable - No specimen collection required (survey-based assessment)
Units: N/A
Ref low: 140
Ref high: 280
Critical range: 0.5 N/A – 1000 N/A
Fasting: false
Population: adult
Sex: all
Age range: ≥ 18 years
Method: ace-brfss
CPT: Not applicable - Public health surveillance survey, not a billable laboratory test
SNOMED: 713500|413662009
Specimen volume: Not applicable - No specimen collected
Stability: Not applicable - No specimen collected
Hemolysis max: 500
Lipemia max: 1000
Icterus max: 500
TAT: 4–24 hours
Order: routine

What is this test?

The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) questionnaire is part of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a national health survey conducted by the CDC. This module asks about stressful or traumatic experiences that may have happened before you turned 18 years old. These experiences can include various forms of abuse, neglect, household dysfunction, or other traumatic events during childhood.

What does the test look for?

The ACE questionnaire asks about 10 categories of childhood experiences: emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, physical neglect, household domestic violence, household substance abuse, household mental illness, parental separation/divorce, and incarcerated household member. Each "yes" answer counts as one point, and the total score (ranging from 0-10) helps identify potential health risks.

Research has shown that ACEs are strongly linked to long-term health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease. The stress from childhood trauma can affect how the body responds to stress throughout life, potentially leading to inflammation, high blood pressure, and other factors that contribute to heart disease. This is why the test is categorized under cardiac health.

What to expect during the test

This is not a blood test or physical examination. It is a confidential questionnaire that you will answer either on paper or electronically. You may be asked to complete it during a healthcare visit or as part of a health survey. The questions are personal, so you can skip any question you are uncomfortable answering.

Reference range

Adult: 140-280 U/LN/A

Specimen: serum

This is a telephone survey instrument, not a blood test. The respondent answers questions about their childhood experiences including abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. No fasting or special preparation required.

Clinical interpretation

How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.

The ACE score helps healthcare providers understand your potential risk for various health conditions. Studies show that people with higher ACE scores have increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and other chronic conditions. This information helps providers offer appropriate screening, prevention strategies, and support services tailored to your needs.

It's important to know that having ACEs does not guarantee poor health outcomes. Many people with high ACE scores live healthy lives, especially with proper support, coping resources, and healthcare. The goal of screening is to identify those who may benefit from early intervention, mental health support, or lifestyle modifications to reduce health risks.

Frequently asked questions

Will my answers be kept confidential?

Yes, your ACE questionnaire responses are confidential and protected by privacy laws. They become part of your health record, but healthcare providers cannot share this information with others without your permission, except as required by law.

What happens if I have a high ACE score?

A high ACE score indicates that you may have increased health risks, but it does not diagnose any condition. Your healthcare provider may discuss additional health screenings, preventive care, or resources such as counseling, support groups, or stress management programs. They can help you develop a plan to protect your health.

Can I refuse to answer these questions?

Yes, you can skip any questions you prefer not to answer. The questionnaire is voluntary. However, providing this information helps your healthcare team give you better, more personalized care. If you're uncomfortable completing it in a clinical setting, you can discuss your concerns with your provider.

Will my ACE score affect my insurance?

No, ACE scores from healthcare assessments are protected health information and cannot be used by insurance companies to deny coverage or set premiums. Health information is protected under HIPAA and other privacy regulations.

Where can I get help if childhood experiences affected my health?

If you're struggling with past childhood experiences, talk to your healthcare provider about mental health resources. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a national helpline (1-800-662-4357) that provides free, confidential support 24/7. Many communities also offer counseling services, support groups, and trauma-informed care programs.

Sources

Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy