Iowa ACEs Action (IA)

Iowa ACEs Action connects individuals and communities across Iowa who are reducing adverse childhood experiences and the impact of toxic stress. This collaborative online community serves as the venue for sharing resources and best practices, and for launching discussion and open communication across all regions of our state.

Rural injuries & violence at home during COVID-19 [iprc.public-health.uiowa.edu]

Rafael Maravilla(PACEs Connection Staff) 4/16/204:41 PM

By Injury Prevention Research Center, The University of Iowa, April 2020

Millions of Americans are isolating at home and practicing social distancing. While these practices are critical to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, they increase the risk for abuse, suicide, and child injuries at home. In rural America these risks could be greater.

Corinne Peek-Asa, Director of the University of Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center (UI IPRC) said, “The cascade of COVID-19 issues includes risk factors for injuries and violence, and these factors may be disproportionately increased in rural populations.”

Rural living is known for close-knit communities, but also for fewer community services such as healthcare clinics, domestic violence shelters, and mental healthcare services. Fast and reliable internet access is limited in some rural areas. Research has also shown that living alone or loneliness puts adults and adolescents at risk for suicide. In the U.S. suicide rates are higher in rural areas.

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