Publication Date: March 14th, 2024
Publication Type(s): Policy Brief
Topic(s): Health Disparities and Health Equity, Maternal Health, Social Determinants of Health, Violence and abuse, Women
Author(s): Sheffield EC, Fritz AH, and Kozhimannil KB
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious health risk and a contributor to maternal mortality. Rates of IPV are elevated around the time of childbirth, and screening for abuse is recommended to ensure access to appropriate IPV-related services and supports. The goal of this analysis is to describe IPV among rural US residents who gave birth 2016-2020, with a focus on differences by race/ethnicity. We also describe the frequency by which different racial/ethnic groups are not screened for abuse postpartum, with the goal of informing efforts to improve detection of and interventions for IPV among rural residents and to improve racial equity in maternal health.