The evidence for intimate partner violence and elder abuse screening: Stagnation at a critical juncture

Many of us experience violence at some time in our lives. Lifespan violence, including intimate partner violence (IPV) and elder abuse, remains one of the most underresearched, yet highly prevalent, current public health crises. With an estimated lifetime prevalence of 1 in 4 to 5 women and 1 in 7 men, IPV is just as or more prevalent than many chronic diseases in the US. Moreover, 1 in 10 adults older than 60 years are estimated to experience some form of elder abuse (eg, abuse, neglect, or exploitation).The updated US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on IPV and elder abuse in this issue of JAMA is similar to the prior version, with new framing of elder abuse as including caregiver abuse and neglect. The USPSTF’s update recommends IPV screening, paired with multicomponent interventions, to reduce harm for women of reproductive age. This recommendation again highlights critical gaps in understanding IPV dynamics in nonreproductive contexts, in men, and in LGBTQ+ populations. Even more concerning is the persistent lack of evidence for elder abuse screening. Despite the aging of the US population and nearly 20% of US adults older than 60 years, there are no validated screening tools or effective interventions for elder abuse.