MMWR

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

Chronic Disease and Health Risk Behaviors Associated with Intimate Partner Violence — United States, 2005

PRESS CONTACT: CDC
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Media Relations
(770) 488-4902

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health problem resulting in more than 1200 deaths and 2 million injuries per year among women, and nearly 600,000 injuries per year among men. IPV has also been associated with a range of significant short — and long-term negative mental and physical health outcomes. New research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows intimate partner violence (IPV), also referred to as domestic violence, is linked with a number of health risk behaviors such as smoking, binge drinking and sexual risk taking and also chronic health conditions like asthma, arthritis and stroke. The study underscores the importance of IPV as a public health issue. Health care providers should look for exposure to IPV when patients show signs or symptoms of stress or other conditions that are consistent with IPV. Collecting such information is part of good clinical practice and might influence the diagnosis, treatment plan, and ability of the patient to adhere to treatment.

Healthcare providers have an opportunity to identify and assist survivors of IPV, to address the health-related needs of IPV victims, and to reduce their risks for subsequent negative effects. To help, CDC′s recently-published Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Violence Victimization Assessment Instruments for Use in Healthcare Settings: Version 1.0. is available at: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/Compendium/Measuring_IPV_Victimization_and_Perpetration.htm

Update: State Medicaid Coverage for Tobacco-Dependence Treatments — United States, 2006

PRESS CONTACT: (Primary Contact)
Helen Ann Halpin, Ph.D., Professor of Health Policy and Director
Center for Health and Public Policy Studies
University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health
(510) 643-1675

(Secondary Contact)
CDC
Office on Smoking and Health
Media Relations
(770) 488-5493

If the national Healthy People 2010 objective to increase insurance coverage of evidence-based tobacco-dependence treatments in all 51 Medicaid programs is to be achieved, Medicaid coverage for tobacco-dependence treatments must increase substantially. Despite high smoking prevalence (35 percent) among recipients, high economic burden, and the availability of evidence-based and cost-effective treatments, eight state Medicaid programs did not cover any tobacco-dependence treatments, and only one program (Oregon) covered all recommended treatments in 2006. Additionally, even in states that provide coverage, there were significant restrictions on the use of these treatments. Providing full Medicaid coverage for all recommended tobacco dependence treatments, eliminating barriers to the use of these treatments, promoting treatment use, and educating Medicaid recipients and providers about coverage are critical to reducing tobacco use among this increased-risk population. Community and policy interventions (such as increasing the price of tobacco products, sustained media campaigns encouraging cessation and promoting available treatments, comprehensive smoke-free policies, and state-funded quitlines) complement the clinical treatments of tobacco use and increase quit attempts and quitting success.