The challenge of eliminating cervical cancer in the United States: a story of politics, prudishness, and prevention.

Exciting strides in reducing the incidence of and mortality from cervical cancer have been made over the last century in the United States. The issues surrounding the implementation of the human papillomavirus vaccine are remarkably similar to the issues involved in the gradual adoption of the Pap test and initiation of cervical cancer screening beginning nearly a century ago. The following review of the reduction of cervical cancer morbidity and mortality demonstrates the importance of the interplay between basic science, clinical medicine, social mores, and public policy.

Ha sentido sola? Culturally competent screening for intimate partner violence in Latina women.

Objective: Intimate partner violence (IPV), a common public health problem, affects women irrespective of ethnicity. Primary care visits provide an excellent opportunity to identify IPV survivors; however, among immigrant Latina women, language can be a barrier. Several IPV screening instruments are available in English, but few are available in Spanish.

Integrative clinical experience: an innovative program to prepare for internship.

Background: Interns experience tremendous challenges on the transition from student to new physician. There is limited literature describing curriculum that enhances medical students' preparation for internship.

Description: To prepare graduating medical students at our institution for the new responsibilities and stressors that they will face as interns, an elective course, Integrative Clinical Experience, was implemented.

Survivors of domestic violence: demographics and disparities in visitors to an interdisciplinary specialty clinic.

Although the traditional response to domestic violence has been undertaken by legal and human service agencies, this societal issue has become increasingly recognized as a national public health concern. While identification and intervention in cases of domestic violence are widely recommended, little data exist on intervention outcomes. This retrospective study describes similarities and disparities in sociodemographic variables, health status, referral characteristics, and management strategies among patients referred to a specialty clinic for survivors of domestic violence.

The hidden health menace of elder abuse. Physicians can help patients surmount intimate partner violence.

As many as 2 million elderly persons in the United States experience physical, psychologic, or sexual abuse each year. Nationally spouses or intimate partners commit between 13% and 50% of elder abuse.1 Physicians can be instrumental in preventing and intervening in intimate partner violence in their elderly patients.