Riba Kelsey-Harris, MD

We were happy to learn in “Time to routinely screen for intimate partner violence?” (PURLs. J Fam Pract. 2013;62:90-92) that the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) agrees with the Institute of Medicine (IOM) that all women of childbearing age should be screened for intimate partner violence (IPV).¹ Although the USPSTF recommendation comes 2 years after that of the IOM, it is truly better late than never.

Two populations with known IPV issues require special consideration: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) patients and heterosexual men. The rate of IPV is higher in the LGBT population than in heterosexual men and women cohabitating with their partners.² Despite high rates of IPV within the LGBT population, women in this group frequently are overlooked for IPV screening.²

We must remember to screen men in heterosexual relationships, as well. In 2000, the National Violence Against Women survey found that 7% of men reported having experienced IPV in their lifetime.² Given this data, we believe that all patients ages 14 years and older—regardless of gender or sexual orientation—should be screened for IPV. This would be a much-needed step towards addressing a major public health problem.

Barbara McMillan-Persaud, MD
Kyra P. Clark, MD
Riba Kelsey-Harris, MD
Folashade Omole, MD, FAAFP
Atlanta, Ga

We were happy to learn in “Time to routinely screen for intimate partner violence?” (PURLs. J Fam Pract. 2013;62:90-92) that the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) agrees with the Institute of Medicine (IOM) that all women of childbearing age should be screened for intimate partner violence (IPV).¹ Although the USPSTF recommendation comes 2 years after that of the IOM, it is truly better late than never.

Two populations with known IPV issues require special consideration: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) patients and heterosexual men. The rate of IPV is higher in the LGBT population than in heterosexual men and women cohabitating with their partners.² Despite high rates of IPV within the LGBT population, women in this group frequently are overlooked for IPV screening.²

We must remember to screen men in heterosexual relationships, as well. In 2000, the National Violence Against Women survey found that 7% of men reported having experienced IPV in their lifetime.² Given this data, we believe that all patients ages 14 years and older—regardless of gender or sexual orientation—should be screened for IPV. This would be a much-needed step towards addressing a major public health problem.

Barbara McMillan-Persaud, MD
Kyra P. Clark, MD
Riba Kelsey-Harris, MD
Folashade Omole, MD, FAAFP
Atlanta, Ga

We were happy to learn in “Time to routinely screen for intimate partner violence?” (PURLs. J Fam Pract. 2013;62:90-92) that the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) agrees with the Institute of Medicine (IOM) that all women of childbearing age should be screened for intimate partner violence (IPV).¹ Although the USPSTF recommendation comes 2 years after that of the IOM, it is truly better late than never.

Two populations with known IPV issues require special consideration: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) patients and heterosexual men. The rate of IPV is higher in the LGBT population than in heterosexual men and women cohabitating with their partners.² Despite high rates of IPV within the LGBT population, women in this group frequently are overlooked for IPV screening.²

We must remember to screen men in heterosexual relationships, as well. In 2000, the National Violence Against Women survey found that 7% of men reported having experienced IPV in their lifetime.² Given this data, we believe that all patients ages 14 years and older—regardless of gender or sexual orientation—should be screened for IPV. This would be a much-needed step towards addressing a major public health problem.

Barbara McMillan-Persaud, MD
Kyra P. Clark, MD
Riba Kelsey-Harris, MD
Folashade Omole, MD, FAAFP
Atlanta, Ga