The Hidden Health Impact of Domestic and Sexual Violence

February Is More Than a Month: The Hidden Health Impact of Domestic and Sexual Violence

February is widely recognized as Black History Month, Cancer Prevention Month, American Heart Month, and Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.

At first glance, these acknowledgements may seem separate. But in reality, they intersect in important, urgent ways.

If we care about heart health, cancer prevention, and teen well-being, we must also care about domestic violence (DV), sexual assault (SA), and the systems that shape who has access to safety and healthcare.

 

Black History Month: Honoring Truth and Addressing Inequity

Black History Month is a time to celebrate resilience, leadership, and cultural contributions. It is also a time to acknowledge the systems that have created persistent inequities in health and safety.

Research consistently shows that people of color—particularly Black women and Native women—experience disproportionately high rates of domestic violence and sexual assault. These disparities are not about individual choices. They are rooted in:

• Historical disinvestment in communities of color

• Systemic racism in housing, employment, and education

• Mistrust of medical and legal systems due to historical harm

• Barriers to culturally responsive services

When survivors do not feel safe seeking help—from law enforcement, healthcare providers, or advocacy organizations—violence can continue unchecked.

 

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month: Early Patterns, Lifelong Impact

February is also Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. This month reminds us that relationship patterns often begin early.

Experiencing dating violence in adolescence increases the risk of:

• Depression and anxiety

• Substance misuse

• Risky sexual behaviors

• Long-term health complications

Young people of color may face additional barriers to reporting abuse, including fear of criminalization of partners, community stigma, or lack of access to culturally affirming support.

Read more about the prevalence of Teen Dating Violence among U.S. High School Students. 

 

American Heart Month: The Hidden Cardiovascular Toll of Trauma

When we think about preventing heart disease and other non-communicable diseases, we often focus on lifestyle choices like diet, exercise, and genetics. But trauma is also an important public health factor.

Research shows that traumatic experiences, including domestic violence, are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, partly through prolonged stress and its effects on the body’s systems like blood pressure and inflammation. This means survivors may carry a higher burden of cardiovascular risk over time compared with people without such trauma histories. Read More.

Cancer Prevention Month: When Safety Affects Screening

Cancer prevention depends on early detection through regular screenings like mammograms, Pap smears, and colon cancer screenings. But survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault often face significant barriers to accessing this care.

Studies have found that women who have experienced domestic violence report more access-related barriers to cancer screening, including lack of transportation, childcare, or safe time away from an abusive partner. These barriers can result in lower rates of up-to-date screening and missed opportunities for early detection. Read More. 

 

What Prevention Really Means

True prevention requires:

• Culturally responsive healthcare

• Trauma-informed medical providers

• Strong community-based advocacy

• School-based prevention education

• Policies that reduce economic and racial inequities

It means understanding that health is not just about individual behavior—it is shaped by safety, stability, and systems.

 

This February—and Beyond

Black History Month reminds us to address inequity.
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month calls us to prevention.
American Heart Month highlights the physical toll of chronic stress.
Cancer Prevention Month underscores the importance of access to care.

These are not separate conversations. They are one conversation about health, safety, and justice.

If we want thriving communities, we must ensure that everyone—especially those most disproportionately impacted—has access to safety, dignity, and healthcare.

Because prevention starts long before a diagnosis.
And health begins with safety.