Influence
July 22, 2025

Screening for intimate partner violence and caregiver abuse of older or vulnerable adults: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement

Sarah Wiehe, MD

Published in JAMA. Here is a link to the article.

Regenstrief Institute authors: Sarah Wiehe, MD, MPH

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has released updated guidance on screening for intimate partner violence (IPV) and abuse in older or vulnerable adults. IPV, including abuse by trusted individuals or caregivers, continues to affect millions across the lifespan and is often underrecognized. These forms of abuse can lead to serious injury, long-term health consequences, or death.

Following a commissioned systematic review, the USPSTF concludes there is a moderate net benefit to screening women of reproductive age, including those who are pregnant or postpartum, for IPV. When such screening is followed by referral to appropriate multicomponent interventions, health outcomes improve. Based on this evidence, the Task Force issues a “B” recommendation for clinicians to conduct routine IPV screening in this population.

In contrast, for older or vulnerable adults without signs or symptoms of abuse, the evidence remains insufficient. The USPSTF found inadequate data to determine whether the benefits of screening outweigh potential harms in these groups. Accordingly, the Task Force issues an “I” statement, indicating that more research is needed before formal recommendations can be made regarding screening for abuse or neglect by caregivers in these populations.

This update reflects the Task Force’s ongoing evaluation of preventive practices to support the health and safety of all individuals across age groups.

Authors:

US Preventive Services Task Force; Michael Silverstein1, John B Wong2, Esa M Davis3, David Chelmow4, Tumaini Rucker Coker5, Alicia Fernandez6, Ericka Gibson7, Carlos Roberto Jaén8, Marie Krousel-Wood9, Sei Lee6, Wanda K Nicholson10, Goutham Rao11, John M Ruiz12, James Stevermer13, Joel Tsevat8, Sandra Millon Underwood14, Sarah Wiehe15

Affiliations

1Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.

2Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.

3University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore.

4Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond.

5University of Washington, Seattle.

6University of California, San Francisco.

7Kaiser Permanente, Atlanta, Georgia.

8The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.

9Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana.

10George Washington University, Washington, DC.

11Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.

12University of Arizona, Tucson.

13University of Missouri, Columbia.

14University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

15Indiana University, Bloomington.

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