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

According to the WHO, the report draws on the first harmonized multi-country survey of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among young adults (18–30)[2], with 26,741 respondents. Il Sole 24 Ore reports that the survey was carried out between November 2025 and January 2026[3].WHO/Europe says more than 1 in 5 young adults report experiencing 4 or more ACEs.[1] In that group, the agency reports, 76.3% felt they had needed professional mental health support in the previous year, compared with 36.7% of those who reported none.[1] WHO/Europe also says people with 4 or more ACEs were 10 times more likely to report perpetrating violence as young adults[1].The UN Regional Information Centre (UNRIC) reports that parental separation or death is the most common form of ACE, cited by 39% of respondents.[4] UNRIC also reports that 33% of young women report having suffered sexual abuse, compared to 25% of young men.[4]Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director of Health Systems at WHO/Europe, said: "We're not talking about a small, unlucky minority."[1]According to WHO/Europe, the survey was funded by the European Commission[1] and carried out with Liverpool John Moores University. Professor Mark Bellis, the study's academic lead, said "ACEs can be prevented and their impacts reduced."[5]The WHO's report summary says it calls for coordinated, trauma-informed, multisectoral policy action to prevent ACEs, build resilience, and break intergenerational cycles of adversity.[2]