Health and Well-Being Matter is the monthly blog of the Director of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
A health equity mindset will help us make real strides in mitigating the negative effects of the national epidemic of loneliness and social isolation. That means deeply examining the special needs and challenges of groups with higher risk, such as certain racial and ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ people, rural residents, groups who experience other forms of discrimination, and survivors of domestic violence. Leveraging practical tools for health care providers and public health institutions, as well as individuals and their communities, can help to meaningfully connect people to social support structures and lessen loneliness and social isolation. With the October observance of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, now is a particularly relevant moment to look at supporting people experiencing domestic violence — and to shine additional light on such circumstances, which can be both exacerbated by and result in loneliness and social isolation.
For those affected by domestic violence, the autumn season can add to conditions that increase risk. Many in the United States begin a period of holiday celebrations. Excitement grows around the start of new sports seasons. As the weather turns colder, we begin to retreat to the warmth of our homes for longer periods of time. All of these experiences we commonly share with family and friends, and most of us will find joy in them. Yet, violence and abuse can increase around holidays or major sporting events due to associated tensions, higher stress, or increased alcohol consumption. At this time of year, many people may also have additional financial strain due to holiday-related costs or the increased demand for social events. Even the act of spending more time indoors with family can exacerbate domestic violence already taking place.
While there is no expectation that every health professional or layperson be expert in domestic violence awareness and prevention, there is a lot we can do with a few resources. Societally, we can all become more familiar with overt and subtle signs and symptoms of domestic violence. A number of risk factors present in a variety of ways. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s page on Intimate Partner Violence provides a comprehensive and easy-to-understand look at risk and protective factors related to violence perpetration for those in relationships, communities, and society more broadly. I encourage you to spend some time on this page and familiarize yourself with these risk factors. As with all health-promoting and disease-preventing strategies, prevention of domestic violence starts with understanding and addressing root causes.
Friends and family should be aware of warning signs of abusive partner behaviors. These may include repeatedly telling a partner that they never do anything right or showing extreme jealousy of friends or time spent away. Such behaviors may also manifest as insulting, demeaning, or shaming attitudes – especially in front of other people — or exhibiting controlling behavior, such as taking over household finances without consultation or pressuring a partner into substance use or other acts that they’re not comfortable with. Concerning behaviors may be more aggressive signs, such as intimidation, threats, destroying a partner’s belongings, or physical hostility. Even 1 or 2 of these behaviors can indicate a significant problem.
Health care professionals should maintain an emergency tool kit to help triage concerning situations and possibly even prevent episodes of domestic violence from occurring. The National Domestic Violence Hotline sits atop this list of resources. It offers 24/7 access to tools and support for those experiencing or witnessing domestic violence. For more localized information and resources, the Office on Women’s Health provides resources by state for women in need of support, as well as resources to educate about domestic or intimate partner violence — including steps women can take to protect themselves and their loved ones. For those needing plain language resources to help spot warning signs of relationship violence and get a loved one the help they need, ODPHP’s MyHealthfinder article on the topic can help. Finally, you can also refer to the Healthy People 2030 evidence-based resources related to reducing intimate partner violence.
Helping those close to you and members of your community form strong social support networks and stable, positive relationships can create a solid basis for preventing domestic violence. As you celebrate the season, be mindful of your loved ones and communities — and think of the needs of those who may be suffering in silence. And when there is concern, take an extra step: reach out and start a conversation. A small gesture can potentially make a difference for those affected by or at risk for domestic violence.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can also get help by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.
Yours in health,
Paul
Paul Reed, MD
Rear Admiral, U.S. Public Health Service
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health
Director, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
In Officio Salutis
Related Healthy People 2030 topics:
Related Healthy People 2030 objectives:
