Date: October 8th, 2008

Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day (HCADV Day) is a nationally recognized awareness-raising day that takes place annually on the second Wednesday of October. Sponsored by the Family Violence Prevention Fund, HCADV Day aims to reach members of the healthcare community and educate them about the critical importance of assessing for domestic violence, as well as the long term health implications of domestic violence and lifetime exposure to violence. The FVPF has joined forces with the American Medical Students Association (AMSA) to further involve medical school campuses nationwide. Are you a health professional student who would like to get involved in domestic violence campus activism? Take a look at the FVPF's A Domestic Violence Campus Organizing Guide for Health Professional Students and Faculty, and join our health professional students and faculty listserv.

Medical studies link long term effects of domestic violence and abuse with a myriad of health problems including smoking, diabetes, obesity, eating disorders and substance abuse. However, while doctors and nurses routinely screen for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, too few screen for domestic violence. This year we hope to support you in your efforts to prioritize routine assessment and intervention for domestic violence as part of a preventative healthcare strategy.

There are many ways that you can provide leadership in your community on HCADV Day and the Family Violence Prevention Fund is committed to helping you craft activities that best meet your interests, resources and time availability. Examples of past participation include hanging posters in waiting rooms that advertise local resource numbers; writing a newsletter article or an op ed for a local paper; committing to try routine assessment for one week; and inviting a speaker to conduct a brown bag lunch on domestic violence for staff. We encourage you to be creative!

You can learn more about HCADV Day by viewing the 2007 News Release.

Thank you for your interest and commitment! If you have any questions about your involvement, email vedalyn@endabuse.org.