Study: Bad Childhood Experiences Contribute To Oklahomans' Bad Health

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A study suggests that bad childhood experiences, from neglect and abuse to domestic violence in the home, contribute to Oklahomans' overall poor health.<br/><br/>Anne Roberts,

Thursday, January 25th 2007, 8:53 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A study suggests that bad childhood experiences, from neglect and abuse to domestic violence in the home, contribute to Oklahomans' overall poor health.

Anne Roberts, executive director of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, says findings of the Adverse Childhood Experience Study represent a "ticking timebomb" for the quality of Oklahomans' future health.

Roberts says if the state doesn't intervene on behalf of abused children, chronic health issues will only escalate.

Oklahoma ranks Number 1 in the nation in deaths due to heart disease. And the state recorded more than 24,500 domestic violence cases to law enforcement agencies in 2004.

In 2005, there were more than 13,300 cases of child abuse and neglect in Oklahoma.