Robert F. Anda

Dr. Robert F. Anda, MD, MS, is a renowned physician, epidemiologist, and public health researcher best known as the Co-Founder and Co-Principal Investigator of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. His pioneering work has transformed the landscape of trauma-informed care and has had far-reaching implications in the fields of public health, psychology, social services, and education worldwide. Dr. Anda earned his medical degree from Rush Medical College in 1979 and received his board certification in Internal Medicine in 1982. He completed a fellowship in Preventive Medicine and received his Master's degree in Epidemiology from the University of Wisconsin in 1984. Soon after, he joined the prestigious Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where he served for over two decades as a medical officer in various research capacities. Throughout his CDC career, Dr. Anda conducted extensive epidemiological research in disease surveillance, cardiovascular health, mental health, behavioral health, and the psychosocial origins of chronic disease. His most impactful contribution emerged from his collaboration with Dr. Vincent Felitti in the early 1990s, which led to the creation of the ACE Study. This groundbreaking research involved over 17,000 participants and demonstrated strong, graded correlations between adverse childhood experiences and long-term health outcomes such as heart disease, depression, substance abuse, and premature death. Dr. Robert (Rob) Anda graduated from Rush Medical College in 1979 and received his board certification in internal medicine in 1982. In 1984 he completed a fellowship in preventive medicine at the University of Wisconsin, received a Masters Degree in epidemiology, and was accepted into the Epidemic Intelligence Service at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. He conducted research in disease surveillance, behavioral health, mental health and disease, cardiovascular disease, psychosocial origins of health-risk behaviors, and childhood determinants of health. In the early 1990’s, Rob began a collaboration with Dr. Vincent Felitti at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego to investigate child abuse as an underlying cause of medical, social, and public health problems. This effort lead to a large-scale study funded by the CDC to track the effects of childhood trauma on health throughout the lifespan. They called it the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACE Study). Rob played a principal role in the design of the study and serves as its co-principal investigator and co-founder. Data collected from more than 17,000 patients clearly showed that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), were common; that they had a profound negative effect on health and well-being; and were a prime determinant of the past, current and future health behaviors, social problems, disease incidence, and early death in the study population. These findings have resulted in more than 70 publications in major medical and public health journals. The ideas from this work are now influencing the design of similar research around the world. Findings from the ACE Study have been presented at Congressional Briefings and numerous conferences around the world. The ACE Study is being replicated in numerous countries by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is in use to assess the childhood origins of health and social problems in nearly all U.S. states. His time is increasingly devoted to traveling the nation to consult and speak with leaders in public health, medicine, corrections, judicial and social service systems and with local, state, national, and international organizations about the ACE Study. He is showing how its findings are useful to inform programs, policy, and legislation to prevent disease and disability. Rob is the author of more than 200 publications, including numerous government publications, and book chapters, and has received numerous awards and recognition for scientific achievements. He has appeared in national newspapers and television networks and is frequently invited to speak about the ACE Study and his experiences around the country working on applications of ACE Study concepts. Just as in his work, Rob is passionate about gardening and scuba diving, when his schedule permits. He also enjoys fishing and golf. He makes his home in Peachtree City, GA. The ACE Study fundamentally shifted the way public health professionals and clinicians understand the root causes of chronic illness and mental health issues. It has been replicated internationally and forms the foundation of global trauma-informed practices. The findings are widely used to inform public policy, healthcare, social work, and community-based initiatives. After retiring from the CDC, Dr. Anda co-founded ACE Interface, LLC, where he continues his mission to educate and empower communities through science-based training and consultation. He develops educational materials that integrate the latest research on neurobiology, epigenetics, resilience, and community health to build trauma-informed systems nationwide. Dr. Anda has authored or co-authored more than 200 peer-reviewed articles, technical reports, and book chapters. His work has earned numerous accolades, including national awards for scientific excellence and innovation. He frequently speaks at conferences, congressional briefings, and international forums, and was featured prominently in the award-winning documentary "Resilience". Now based in Peachtree City, Georgia, Dr. Anda remains deeply committed to helping individuals, organizations, and governments understand and respond effectively to childhood trauma. His ultimate goal is to help create a resilient, trauma-informed society where healing and prevention are prioritized.