Adverse childhood experiences in the European Union, Iceland and Norway: characteristics, consequences and costs

WHO/Europe reports that more than 1 in 5 young adults report experiencing 4 or more ACEs.[1] According to the agency, 76.3% of that group felt they had needed professional mental health support in the previous year, compared with 36.7% of those who reported none.[1]Il Sole 24 Ore reports that the survey, carried out between November 2025 and January 2026, involved nearly 27,000 young adults aged 18 to 30[2]. The paper says it covered nine types of ACE[2], including abuse, neglect, parental imprisonment and witnessing domestic violence.WHO/Europe says people with 4 or more ACEs were also 6 times more likely to report experiencing violence and 10 times more likely to report perpetrating violence as young adults[1].According to the UN Regional Information Centre, parental separation or death is the most common form of ACE, cited by 39% of respondents.[3] UNRIC reports that 33% of young women report having suffered sexual abuse, compared to 25% of young men.[3]Il Sole 24 Ore says the WHO warns the costs weigh on health, welfare and justice systems "as well as on national economies, for decades"[2].Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat of WHO/Europe said: "This isn't a mental health issue in isolation. It's a social and economic one"[1].According to WHO/Europe, the survey was funded by the European Commission and carried out with Liverpool John Moores University[1]. The study's academic lead, Professor Mark Bellis, said "ACEs can be prevented and their impacts reduced."[4]