Dear AJPM Reader,
The article, reprinted in this issue, found that 22.9% of men and 28.9% of women surveyed had experienced some form of intimate partner violence, whether physical, sexual, or psychological. The study also showed that for both men and women, physical and psychological IPV were associated with poor health, depression, substance use, and other physical and mental health consequences.
Almost 20 years later, IPV prevalence remains unacceptably high. Reflecting on her 2002 article in an accompanying commentary in our December issue, Dr. Coker discusses advances made in the intervening years and next steps still needed in sexual violence and IPV surveillance and prevention. This includes addressing these issues in the context of their impact on gender and sexual minorities.
In a companion piece, Dr. Carol Runyan, AJPM Editorial Board member, reflects on the history of IPV research, noting that in 2002, epidemiologic study of IPV was still in its early stages. She calls for more funding to address both IPV and injury and violence in general - the third leading cause of death in the U.S. prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. She also highlights the need for increased training on IPV as a public health problem and translation of progress on IPV into the global context.
Both commentators point out that intimate partner violence is a problem that lacks simple solutions, but looking back reveals progress as well as gaps where much work remains to be done.
We hope you find this feature, as well as our December 2021 issue, to be timely, topical, and informative, and we wish you well in the new year.
Yours in prevention and health,
