As the entire country is currently talking about health care and health care reform, the Women's Crisis & FamilyOutreachCenter wants to bring to the attention of readers some dramatic statistics and startling data regarding the cost of domestic violence. Regardless of political leanings or ideologies, the following presents information for all of us to consider.

As an agency dedicated to domestic violence prevention and intervention, we are aware of a growing body of research demonstrates how exposure to violence and abuse increases the risk of negative health outcomes. According to the 2009 article "Hidden Costs in Health Care: The Economic Impact of Violence and Abuse" from The Academy on Violence and Abuse, these outcomes manifest themselves in victims having more physical health problems, more frequent use of medical and mental health care services, higher levels of depression, more frequent suicide attempts, and increased abuse of alcohol and other substances. Common conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, back pain, stroke, mental illness and asthma are all shown to occur more frequently or more severely in those who have been exposed to violence in their lives. Further research has found associations between exposure to violence and abuse and increased surgical procedures, mental health services and visits to general practitioners, emergency departments, and hospitals.

In the Archives of Family Medicine, Koss and Heslet reported that victims of abuse accessed the health care system 2 to 2.5 times as often as those not exposed to abuse. They suggested that health care could be improved as providers identified the underlying cause of the patient's symptoms, referring to the victimization, rather than only treating the immediate symptoms.

The Wisner study published in the Journal of Family Practice looked at a particular health care plan and found that approximately $1,776 more was spent each year on female enrollees who had a history of violence and/or abuse as compared to a random sample of female enrollees. The study also found that women who had experienced violence within their lifetime had more hospitalizations, more frequent clinic use, mental health utilization, and out-of-plan referrals.

The Jones study published in Women's Health Issues compared abused and non-abused middle class women enrolled in a multi-site, metropolitan HMO. This study found that average annual costs were $570 higher for women who reported a history of abuse.

The Rivara study by the American Journal of Preventative Medicine found that women with a history of violence and abuse had up to 20% higher total health care costs (approximately $439 annually) and the increase in costs continued long after the violence ended. The Rivara study also found significant differences in health care costs between children whose mothers had experienced violence and abuse and those whose mothers had not. Even after the abuse had stopped, the children of mothers who experienced violence and abuse continued to incur higher costs. Moreover, this study found that children living in households with chronic stress such as violence and abuse had a lifelong increase risk of acute disorders.

Finally, in the largest study of its kind done to date, the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study found that exposure to adverse childhood experiences were associated with an array of dysfunctional outcomes in later life including addiction, sexually transmitted disease, obesity, fractures, and medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please call our Crisis Line at 303-688-8484.

For more information about domestic violence and its affect on children and families and how you can help, please contact the Women's Crisis & Family Outreach Center (WCFOC) at 303-688-1094.

Now through the end of 2009, new donors to the WCFOC will have their dollars matched 1 to 1 by the Gay and Lesbian Fund for Colorado - please call Ann Carter at 303-688-1094 for more information.