Intimate partner violence (IPV) includes physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, psychological aggression, and reproductive control by a current or former boyfriend or girlfriend, domestic partner, or spouse. IPV is a major public health issue that adversely impacts physical and mental health and quality of life.

This retrospective study examines the prevalence of IPV-related emergency department (ED) visits by rural and urban status and U.S. census regions using discharge data from the National Emergency Department Sample. Key findings indicate IPV-related ED visits among patients ages 15-64 were higher in rural versus urban areas in all regions except the Midwest. Women ages 15-64 represented 93% of IPV-related ED visits in urban areas compared to 95% in rural areas. Both rural men and women admitted to the ED with an IPV-related diagnosis were more likely to be in the lower half of the income distribution and to have public health insurance than their urban counterparts.