A study of 3,333 women in a Seattle-based group health plan found that women with a history of intimate partner violence utilize the health system more and have higher costs than women who have never been abused.
"These results show the enormous costs of intimate partner violence and can justify investing in intervention programs to reduce its health effects and prevent its recurrence," said lead author Frederick P. Rivara, MD, MPH, in a press release. "It would also justify the costs of long-term programs to prevent this problem from happening in the first place."
Study of 3,333 Women
The study was based on surveys, medical records, and data from 3,333 women, aged 18 to 64 years old, of which 1,546 reported having experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime.For the purpose of the study, intimate partner violence was defined as both physical abuse (slapping, hitting, kicking, or forced sex) and nonphysical abuse (threats, chronic disparaging remarks, or controlling behavior).
Higher Health Costs
According to the press release, the study showed:- Annual total health care costs were 19 percent higher in women with a history of intimate partner violence ($439 annually) compared to women without intimate partner violence in their backgrounds.
- Health care utilization was higher for all categories of service during and after intimate partner violence compared to women who had not been abused. Women reporting intimate partner violence had 17 percent more primary care visits; 14 percent more specialist visits; and 27 percent more prescription refills. They were also more likely to use services in the areas of mental health, substance abuse, hospital outpatient care, emergency department care, and acute inpatient care during and after periods of intimate partner violence.
- Health care utilization was still 20 percent higher five years after women's abuse ceased compared to women who had never experienced intimate partner violence.
- The estimated excess costs to the health plan due to intimate partner violence are approximately $19.3 million per year for every 100,000 women enrollees aged 18-64. This estimate is based on prevalence for intimate partner violence of 44 percent -- a figure established in a study the Group Health/UW team published in 2005.
Common, Chronic and Negative
"When coupled with our previous work, this study helps to complete the picture of intimate partner violence as it is encountered in health care delivery," says Thompson. "Intimate partner violence is common, chronic, and produces negative effects on women's physical and mental health that are as severe as cancer or diabetes, and that add an enormous economic burden to health care systems. Development, implementation and evaluations of systems for the secondary prevention of intimate partner violence are not only warranted, they are urgently needed."Source: The study was published in the February 2007 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
