Article Content

Asymptomatic women of childbearing age should be screened for signs of intimate partner violence (IPV), according to new recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The statement, published online (January 22) in Annals of Internal Medicine, calls for clinicians to provide or provide referral for intervention services to those who screen positive. IPV, which is common but often undetected, can have long-lasting physical and mental health consequences. Available screening instruments can identify current and past abuse or a heightened risk of abuse, and a variety of interventions that can be used by primary care providers can reduce violence, abuse, and physical and mental harms in women of reproductive age. (Evidence supporting the screening of all elderly or vulnerable adults for abuse was deemed insufficient.)