Nadine Burke Harris’s TEDx talk

Nadine Burke Harris’s TEDx talk on how childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime points out how exposures to toxicities and adversities for children result in deteriorating their health as they grow. Harris asserts that childhood trauma dramatically increases the risk of 7 out of 10 of the leading causes of death in the U.S.A. Also, high exposure to childhood trauma affects an individual’s immune system and is more vulnerable to heart attack and reduced life- expectancy (Harris, 2015).  Severe threats such as neglect and abuse, parents abusing substances, and mental issues affect the physiological of children.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), as mentioned by Harris, are common among the population. The more one is exposed to ACEs, the worse their health outcomes turn out in their adulthood life. Hepatitis, Depression, Lung cancer, as well as, skin and heart disease are all linked to high ACEs.

In most cases, childhood trauma is regarded as a mental or social issue. However, for Harris, there is a scientific link between ACEs and the health outcomes for individuals as they affect the developing brains and bodies of young ones.  ACEs affect areas of the child’s brain, such as the nucleus accumbens, which is the pleasure and reward center of the brain that is implicated in substance dependence. ACEs also inhibit the prefrontal cortex of a developing brain, which is required for impulse control and executive function. According to Harris, there are real neurological concerns of exposure to high adversities during young age, which can lead to one engaging in more risky behaviors.

The take away from the talk is that children require to be raised in a safe environment that does not expose them to traumas as it is essential in bringing up an all-round healthy individual.

References

Harris, N. B. (2015, February 17). How Childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime. Retrieved from Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95ovIJ3dsNk

Erendhira Valenzuela, your response to the video you mention is an eye-opener.  I agree that one turns out to pick good or bad behaviors and characters based on how they are raised. Children raised in surroundings with adversities such as separated parents at a young age, as well as others you mention, likely develop a “bad” trait or character. Exposure to traumatic events at a young age leads to children developing a form of injustice or greed towards others and possessions.  It is hence important for societies to ensure children receive love and proper care, which will result in communities made of ethical individuals.

Teresita Gomez, your response to the video is enlightening. You mention your brother’s experience as it relates to the talk. The professor indeed plays as your brother’s champion, which is what any young individual requires. Most importantly, young adults will learn more from persons they view as role models; hence professors and other instructors in learning institutions ought to learn how students’ can emulate them. This way, the impact of teaching and learning to the students will be more significant. Personally, growing up, I looked up to my parents, who have always pushed me to be the best form of who I wish to be.