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Domestic violence takes a toll on our society.

Put aside the obvious costs to the victim and the legal costs of prosecution.

Our medical system also pays the price for Domestic violence.

The Centers for Disease Control estimates the nation spent nearly 4.1 billion dollars in 2003 for medical and mental health services related to domestic abuse.

One strategy for cutting those costs, and perhaps reduce further risk, is to screen patients for domestic violence.

But despite a state-wide campaign to increase screening in recent years, many providers still don't.

Hoping to light a fire under those physicians, emergency rooms, and clinics, the state's largest health insurer-Anthem- has produced an instructional guide to help address the issue.

New Hampshire Public Radio's Dan Gorenstein has this report.