Physical violence is an important child health risk factor. Children living in homes with domestic violence are more at risk for abuse.^{(3, 4)} Pregnant women who suffer abuse are more likely to have a poor birth outcome. A recent North Carolina study of 584 Medicaid enrolled pregnant women, found 16.1 percent of adolescents and 11.6 percent of adult women experienced prenatal violence. Of adolescents, 56.3 percent reported injuries in the abdomen. Adolescents reporting severe violence were more likely to deliver a low birth weight preterm infant, to use alcohol, and to have had a prior preterm birth, compared with adolescents who reported no violence.^{(5, 6)}

Figure 22: Rate of Injury from Domestic Violence Crimes in Florida, 1999-2001

Source: Domestic violence reports by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Injury was defined as murder, rape, manslaughter, aggravated assault and forcible rape and reported by the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services