Domestic violence

THURSDAY, Dec. 5, 2024 -- Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is associated with delayed or no prenatal care and affects health conditions during pregnancy and infant birth outcomes, according to research published in the Dec. 5 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report . Megan Steele-Baser, Ph.D., from the CDC in Atlanta, and colleagues examined associations between IPV during pregnancy among women with a recent live birth with prenatal care initiation, health conditions during pregnancy, substance use during pregnancy, and infant birth outcomes using data from the 2016 to 2022 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System in nine U.S. jurisdictions. The researchers found that IPV was reported by 5.4 percent of the women during pregnancy, with emotional IPV the most prevalent, followed by physical and sexual IPV (5.2, 1.5, and 1.0 percent, respectively). There were associations for all types of IPV with delayed or no prenatal care; depression during pregnancy; cigarette smoking; alcohol, marijuana, or illicit substance use; and having a low-birth-weight infant. Associations were seen for physical, sexual, and any IPV with having a preterm birth. There was an association observed for physical IPV with pregnancy-related hypertension. "This report reinforces the importance of recognizing emotional, physical, and sexual IPV during pregnancy as a serious public health concern," the authors write. "Because pregnant women experiencing IPV are less likely to receive timely prenatal care, prevention education and intervention in other program models, such as home visitation programs, can be considered." Abstract/Full Text Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.

CHICAGO, Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study found that injury rates among transgender women are significantly higher than injuries among cisgender women, based on radiological imaging. The findings will be presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). 'Cisgender' is a term used to describe people whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth, while 'transgender' describes people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. "Transgender women have been reported to experience alarmingly high rates of violence," said lead researcher Rohan Chopra, an undergraduate student at Northeastern University in Boston and a research intern at the Trauma Imaging Research and Innovation Center (TIRIC) at Brigham and Women's Hospital. "They also frequently endure discrimination, hate crimes, psychological abuse and social isolation, which not only increases their vulnerability but also creates significant barriers in reporting violence and escaping abusive situations." The first-of-its-kind study, conducted by TIRIC, employs a case-control design to quantify and compare the burden of injuries evident on imaging between transgender women and a control group of cisgender women. For the study, researchers selected a cohort of 263 trans-female patients, aged 18 and older, from the Research Patient Data Registry. All patients had undergone at least one imaging exam at a Massachusetts General Brigham affiliated hospital. From the same registry, a control group was selected of 525 cisgender female control patients, matched for age, race and ethnicity, who also underwent at least one imaging exam. Among the transgender women, 67 (25.4%) sustained 141 injuries, compared to 77 (14.7%) of cisgender women who sustained 98 injuries. Transgender women in the study group suffered eight times as many head injuries as the controls, 36 times as many facial injuries and five times as many chest injuries. "Transgender women were five times more likely to undergo imaging in the emergency department compared to cisgender women and were nearly twice as likely to get imaged overnight and on weekends," Chopra said. "Most importantly, transgender women were three times as likely to sustain injuries compared to cisgender women." Of the 67 transgender women with injuries confirmed by a radiological exam, 41.8% (28 of 67) reported being involved in interpersonal violence and 28.4% (19 of 67) confirmed intimate partner violence (IPV). However, 25 (37.3%) of the 67 transgender patients were not screened for IPV. Two radiologists, blinded to the purpose of the study and the transgender status, were also asked to predict the likelihood of IPV based on the radiology reports. The radiologists correctly identified IPV in about one-third of the transgender individuals who reported it. "The significantly higher injury rates in transgender women, particularly to the head, face and chest, with frequent presentations to emergency departments indicate an elevated risk of violence and highlight gaps in preventive care," said Bharti Khurana, M.D., M.B.A., the study's principal investigator and founder and director of TIRIC. "By recognizing these patterns, radiologists can help identify at-risk patients and facilitate timely IPV screening and support for this vulnerable population." Other co-authors are Krishna Patel, M.P.H., Tatiana C. Rocha, M.D., Maria Duran-Mendicuti, M.D., Jessica C. Loftus, L.I.C.S.W., Jacqueline Savage Borne, L.I.C.S.W., Lauren Kourabas, L.I.C.S.W., Bernard Rosner, Ph.D., M.S., and Ole-Petter R. Hamnvik, M.D. Note: Copies of RSNA 2024 news releases and electronic images will be available online at RSNA.org/press24. RSNA is an association of radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists promoting excellence in patient care and health care delivery through education, research and technologic innovation. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Illinois. (RSNA.org) For patient-friendly information on emergency radiology, visit RadiologyInfo.org. SOURCE Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

WARE, Mass., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A Call For Change, an innovative national telephone helpline and jointly founded by Growing A New Heart and Behavioral Health Network, Inc., is marking the completion of its pilot stage as an alternative to police-centric responses to intimate partner abuse. Continue Reading One of the most hopeful innovations we have for providing true accountability while fostering healing. Post this A Call For Change advisory board Since its launch on April 15, 2021, the BIPOC-led A Call For Change has received over 800 calls, far exceeding its own expectations. The helpline's unique approach, guided by a principles-focused evaluation, has garnered national attention for offering a transformative model that moves beyond punitive measures or collusion. "A Call For Change remains at the forefront of the abolitionist and transformative justice movement," said Rebecca Wilson Bretz of the Chicago Torture Justice Center. "It's one of the most hopeful innovations we have for providing true accountability while fostering healing." Key accomplishments over the past three years include: More than 800 calls received, with 379 calls in 2023 alone, demonstrating increasing demand Calls ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours, with 15–20% being return callers 38% of 2023 callers were people using abusive behaviors, seeking change 49% were community members wanting to interrupt abuse without replicating it Formal partnerships established to localize the model in California and Vermont Training provided to 20 states exploring implementation of the approach Recognition from national organizations like Futures Without Violence The BIPOC-led innovation embodies a shared leadership model across interlocking zones of responsibility without a hierarchical structure. Its advisory board and responder team reflect the diversity of communities served. "BIPOC wisdom shapes and leads this innovation," said Anthia Elliott at Springfield, Mass-based Behavioral Health Network, Inc. "Our approach moves beyond pathologizing lenses to truly hold people in compassionate accountability." A Call For Change is made possible through funding sources, including the State of Mass Division of Sexual and Domestic Violence Prevention and Services, which allows the national helpline to operate at just $76.84 per hour with a remote, lean staffing model. The program operates under the umbrella of Growing A New Heart, a Western Massachusetts-based collective promoting social justice, community healing and conflict transformation. "We're incredibly proud of how A Call For Change is changing the paradigm around intimate partner abuse," said JAC Patrissi, co-founder of A Call For Change. "This successful completion of our pilot stage confirms the viability of our model and marks a major milestone for us. We've been energized to continue expanding this life-changing work nationwide." Growing a New Heart is a collective of like-minded professionals in the fields of social justice advocacy, sexual and domestic violence, addictions, art, communications, dispute resolution, community building and self healing. The organization facilitates relationships and communications in families, workplaces and communities through training, retreats, writing, storytelling, traditional indigenous healing practices, and the arts. You can learn more about Growing a New Heart by visiting growinganewheart.org. Media Contact: Michael Rice ([email protected]) SOURCE Growing a New Heart