A new study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine found that 20% of men in the United States admitted physically abusing an intimate partner. The reported violence included choking, slapping, beating, hitting, shoving, burning or “threatening their partner with a knife or gun.” The study’s authors suggest that health care workers can screen men for warning signs related to aggressive behavior during routine medical check-ups or emergency room visits.
According to study author Dr. Vijay Singh of the University of Michigan Medical School, the issue of domestic violence “cuts across all communities, regardless of race, income or any other demographics." Domestic violence is an acknowledged public health crisis, resulting in at least 1200 deaths per year and billions of dollars in associated medical and psychological service costs.
Compiled from: Kutner, Jenny, 1 in 5 men report committing domestic violence: The prevalence of intimate partner violence is higher than that of diabetes. Prevention methods must change, Salon (September 16, 2014); Dallas, Mary Elizabeth, 1 in 5 U.S. men admits to violence against spouse, partner, MSN Healthy Living (September 15, 2014)