Every year millions of Americans are exposed to

violence and abuse as victims, witnesses, and

perpetrators. Violence and abuse occur in all age

groups, at all socioeconomic levels, and throughout

all of society's structure.

It is obvious that these experiences impose a direct economic burden on the healthcare system. What has been less obvious is the even greater cost due to the long-term health consequences of such experiences. These long-term negative health consequences are increasingly being recognized as major health concerns and the true cost to the health care system may

reach hundreds of billions of dollars a year.

It is imperative that stakeholders - insurance companies and purchasers of health care (including state and federal agencies) - are made aware of the connection between many chronic health conditions and the antecedent experiences of abuse. 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.        ...Read the full article