USPSTF Recommends Screening Women for Intimate Partner Violence

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is common, reported in some form by approximately 31% of women and 26% of men, and in severe forms by approximately 25% of women and 14% of men. Ten percent to 20% of elderly experience abuse or neglect. This rate may be higher among vulnerable adults, and under-reporting may underestimate these numbers. The efficacy of detection and treatment approaches has been difficult to determine. In 1996 and in 2004, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) found insufficient evidence to recommend for or against routine screening for IPV or elder abuse. Objective: To review current evidence regarding benefits and harms of screening asymptomatic people for IPV and elder abuse in order to update recommendations. Design/Methods: The accompanying "Evidence Synthesis" describes identification of relevant meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and studies (in English) through the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cochrane Database of S more...