Pregnant women in the Unites States are more than twice as likely to be murdered during pregnancy or shortly after childbirth than they are to die from the three main medical causes of maternal death associated with childbirth, new research shows.
Previous research published in the Lancet has also suggested that the U.S. has a higher rate of intimate partner violence compared to other high-income countries.
"It is an urgent call to action for not only health care team members, but for all of us," Dr. Elizabeth Langen, an OB-GYN and associate professor at the University of Michigan, told ABC News."As we approach an election, we need to think about the health and well-being implications of our votes. Being able to pass gun control legislation is a matter of life and death."
"This should occur at least at the first prenatal visit, each trimester and at the postpartum check," Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell, an OB-GYN and associate professor at Ochsner Health, a Louisiana-based health care system, told ABC News."As OB-GYN's … we are well positioned to ask the questions to uncover abuse and provide resources to get help."also recommends that health care providers screen women of reproductive age for intimate partner violence.
If you need help or need help supporting someone else, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or text START to 88788, or chat online at TheHotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7.