Conceptually, we view the demographic characteristics of individuals bifurcated into two levels which interface with ACEs (see Fig. 1). First, static demographic characteristics are elements which are generally inherent to individuals. These characteristics include gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, geographic residence, and birth year. Next, dynamic demographic differences are traits which change in a more active way beyond childhood, particularly after ACEs. While ACEs have been linked to lifelong outcomes beyond both demographic categories, [1, 22] there may be statistical differences in ACEs by static demographic characteristics, while dynamic demographic characteristics may be influenced by other dynamic demographic characteristics (e.g., education influencing future income), static demographic characteristics (e.g., the effects of gender discrimination on income), and ACEs (e.g., childhood adversity affecting future income) [23, 24]. Moreover, understanding the impact that ACEs has on lifelong outcomes can be better understood by the stratification of individual elements from both categories among ACEs. This is particularly true for the development of prevention/intervention programs centered on ACEs, as programs which are tailored by demographic characteristics have shown greater efficacy [25].
