Abstract

Introduction

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) increase the risk of health-harming behaviours, as well as poor health and social outcomes throughout the lifespan, and across generations. Childhood poverty is closely linked to an increased risk for ACEs, including physical neglect due to unmet needs, as well as physical and emotional abuse. New Brunswick (NB) has consistently had high rates of child poverty, increasing the risk for trauma and a lifetime of health and social inequity for affected children.

Objective

The current review will summarize evidence on the importance of financial security to child health and development within the NB context.

Methodology

A literature review was conducted to identify the impact of family income on ACEs and other risk factors on child health, development, and social outcomes, and to summarize key strategies in ACE prevention and mitigation.

Results

The evidence links financial strain among families to increased risk for parental substance-use, mental illness, intimate partner violence, physical and emotional abuse of children, as well as physical neglect due to unmet needs. Child poverty rates in Canada were reduced by 21% between 2017 and 2021, but in NB, rates increased from 14% to 22% between 2020 and 2021 due to the removal of pandemic-related supports. A 2024 analysis of income supports in NB indicates that families who rely on income supplements are living in deep poverty.

Discussion

ACE prevention is a key strategy in reducing the burden of ACE-associated outcomes on health and social systems, and disrupting the generational transmission of ACEs. A recent study indicated that child abuse rates actually dropped during the pandemic, attributing this reduction to improved income supports during this time. Normally, rates would increase during a crisis, since abuse is linked to adversity and stress, including financial stress. New Brunswick’s high child poverty rates and inadequate income supports increase the risk of abuse, neglect and household dysfunction for our most marginalized children, negatively impacting their development, health and social outcomes. Disrupting generational cycles of poverty through improved income supports would yield immediate and long-term benefits in NB.