Domestic Violence Linked to Chronic Conditions
Black MC, et al. Adverse health conditions and health risk behaviors associated with intimate partner violence-United States, 2005. MMWR. 2008;57:113-117.
Men and women with histories of intimate partner violence are more likely to engage in activities that could endanger their health. In addition, they are more likely to develop chronic conditions later in life.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey published in the February 8 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, there is an association between exposure to intimate partner violence and increased risk for a number of health conditions. The survey included 42,566 women and 27,590 men. Of these, 10,243 women and 3,305 men responded that they had histories of intimate partner violence.
The women in this group had more than three times the risk of developing behaviors that would endanger them of contracting HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. They were also 30% more likely to have high cholesterol, 50% more likely to be disabled, 70% more likely to have an arthritic condition, 60% more likely to have asthma, 80% more likely to have a stroke, and 70% more likely to have heart disease.
The men who were identified with histories of intimate partner violence were 40% more likely to have a stroke, 80% more likely to have limiting physical, mental, or emotional problems, 50% more likely to be disabled, and 40% more likely to have asthma and/or arthritis.
This study suggests that healthcare providers screen for intimate partner violence when patients present with signs or symptoms of it.