Literature Review and Framework for Estimating the Costs of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in the United States

Estimating marginal effects of IPV associated with health outcomes required both annual incidence data for each health outcome of interest and data to estimate the proportion of cases that are related to intimate partner violence.

QRS conducted a study to provide estimates of the marginal effects and economic costs associated with intimate partner violence (IPV). The analyses were framed from the societal perspective, which provides the most comprehensive assessment of the costs of IPV, regardless of who incurs these costs (e.g., victim, employer, caregivers, health insurance company, criminal justice system, victim services). Estimating marginal effects of IPV associated with health outcomes required both annual incidence data for each health outcome of interest and data to estimate the proportion of cases that are related to intimate partner violence. Unit cost estimates describing the annual or lifetime medical and productivity costs associated with each outcome were then used to calculate the IPV-related costs for these health outcomes. A systematic search of the literature was conducted, supplemented with additional targeted searches, and the results were screened for relevancy. QRS’ staff was augmented with a physician researcher from the Regional Research Institute, School of Social Work, Portland State University and Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Oregon Health and Science University; and a health economist from the Division of Health Services Research and Policy, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.