Research Alert: August 31, 2020

Rural Versus Urban Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence-Related Emergency Department Visits, 2009-2014

Intimate partner violence (IPV) includes physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, psychological aggression, and reproductive control by a current or former boyfriend or girlfriend, domestic partner, or spouse. IPV is a major public health issue that adversely impacts physical and mental health and quality of life.

This retrospective study examines the prevalence of IPV-related emergency department (ED) visits by rural and urban status and U.S. census regions using discharge data from the National Emergency Department Sample. Key findings indicate IPV-related ED visits among patients ages 15-64 were higher in rural versus urban areas in all regions except the Midwest. Women ages 15-64 represented 93% of IPV-related ED visits in urban areas compared to 95% in rural areas. Both rural men and women admitted to the ED with an IPV-related diagnosis were more likely to be in the lower half of the income distribution and to have public health insurance than their urban counterparts.

Additional Resources of Interest:

• More information about the Southwest Rural Health Research Center
• More information from the Rural Health Information Hub's topic guides: Rural Health Disparities, Violence and Abuse