- A study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that women who suffered from domestic violence have higher health care costs, even after the abuse ends. Female victims of intimate partner violence average over $1,200 more in health care costs during the first two years after the abuse ends, compared with women who have not been abused. The study examined the health care costs of 2,026 women — which included 859 victims of domestic violence— between 1992 and 2002. Said the study’s co-author, Amy Bonomi, in a statement, “If we can prevent domestic violence, we are not only helping the women involved, we are also saving money in our healthcare system.” [UPI]
- A study from the University of Manitoba found fifty percent of women who’ve had an abortion struggle with depression or substance abuse. The study, published in the Canadian Journal of Psychology, examined data collected from 3,210 American women interviewed by the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute of Drug Abuse between 2001 and 2003. Researchers say the findings should not suggest abortion causes drug/alcohol abuse or depression, as women may have had depression or substance abuse problems before terminating a pregnancy. [Montreal Gazette]
