What is the economic impact of IPV on health care?

What is the economic impact of IPV on health care?

• A. There is no impact on costs
• B. IPV reduces health care costs
• C. Only mental health costs increase with IPV
• D. IPV is associated with higher overall health care costs due to repeated encounters

Answer: (D)

IPV drives higher use of health care services overall. When someone experiences intimate partner violence, they often have acute injuries as well as a range of physical and mental health problems—chronic pain, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal issues, anxiety, depression, and stress-related conditions. Because these issues can recur or present in multiple visits, patients may make repeated encounters with health care providers, including emergency departments, primary care, specialists, and imaging or lab testing. Each encounter generates costs, and the pattern of repeated care across physical health, mental health, and related services adds up to higher total health care expenditures. It isn’t limited to mental health or to a reduction in costs, and there is a clear association with increased, not decreased, costs due to repeated encounters.

IPV drives higher use of health care services overall. When someone experiences intimate partner violence, they often have acute injuries as well as a range of physical and mental health problems—chronic pain, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal issues, anxiety, depression, and stress-related conditions. Because these issues can recur or present in multiple visits, patients may make repeated encounters with health care providers, including emergency departments, primary care, specialists, and imaging or lab testing. Each encounter generates costs, and the pattern of repeated care across physical health, mental health, and related services adds up to higher total health care expenditures. It isn’t limited to mental health or to a reduction in costs, and there is a clear association with increased, not decreased, costs due to repeated encounters.