Our Priorities
The Office of the California Surgeon General is advancing the health and well-being of all Californians by focusing on three key priorities—ACEs and toxic stress, mental health, and reproductive health.
ACEs & Toxic Stress
California’s first Surgeon General, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, set a bold goal to reduce Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress by half in one generation.
Mental Health
The mental health of an individual is inextricably linked to some of the greatest health challenges of our society.
Reproductive Health
Reproductive health is an essential part of well-being and a key priority for the Office of the California Surgeon General.
Addressing ACEs in California
The ACEs Aware initiative is a first-in-the nation effort to screen patients for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) to help improve and save lives.
32,840+
Individuals have completed the ACEs Aware training.
52%
Percentage of participants who were not previously screening for ACEs indicated that they planned to begin screening.
1,803,100+
ACE screenings conducted.
82%
Percentage of ACE screenings conducted of Medi-Cal beneficiaries age 20 and under.
Information & Resources
Communications Toolkits
Explore the tools you need to successfully communicate health topics related to the California Surgeon General’s priorities with your audiences.
Safe Spaces: Foundations of Trauma-Informed Practice for Educational and Care Settings
Safe spaces is a free, online training designed to help early care providers, TK-12 educators and other school personnel recognize and respond to trauma and stress in children.
The ACEs and Toxic Stress Campaign
Through the Children & Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, our office was allocated $24M to create a campaign to increase public understanding of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress. We have the unique opportunity to build a campaign that gives youth and young adults across California the resources and strategies they need to manage toxic stress, heal from adversity, and end cycles of trauma.
Videos
Latest News and Updates
California Launches Strong Start & Beyond, a Movement to Reduce Maternal Mortality Rate by 50%
SAN FRANCISCO – Today, California Surgeon General Dr. Diana E. Ramos, joined by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, released the California Maternal Health Blueprint and announced the launch of...
California Launches Strong Start & Beyond, a Movement to Reduce Maternal Mortality Rate by 50%
SAN FRANCISCO – Today, California Surgeon General Dr. Diana E. Ramos, joined by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, released the California Maternal Health Blueprint and announced the launch of Strong Start & Beyond, a groundbreaking movement to reduce...
California’s School Superintendent and Surgeon General Endorse Safe Spaces
California School Superintendent Tony Thurmond and California Surgeon General Dr. Ramos have co-authored a letter uplifting the Office of the California Surgeon General's trauma-informed training. Safe Spaces: Foundations of Trauma-Informed Practice for Educational...
Creating ‘Safe Spaces’ in Tehama
Author: Heidi Mendenhall, Executive Director, First 5 Tehama Amidst the natural beauty we have here in Tehama County, there is a grimmer reality that often gets overlooked. As an active community member doing my part to support children and families - including...
California Launches Awareness Campaign for Youth Impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences
Live Beyond Campaign Created With Input From California’s Youth WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The Office of the California Surgeon General is launching the Live Beyond campaign to increase awareness and understanding of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), toxic stress, and...
California Surgeon General Visits Los Angeles to Promote Trauma-Informed Schools
SACRAMENTO – Thursday, February 22 – Last week, California Surgeon General Dr. Diana Ramos visited Los Angeles Unified School District’s Ramona Opportunity High School. The visit comes after the launch of The Office of the California Surgeon General’s (CA-OSG)...