Although literature and research on elder abuse have received increased attention during the 1980's, research on elder abuse in the African-American population is still sparse. Regarding the extent of elder abuse in the African-American population, Billingsley (1969) stated that blacks have lower rates of certain types of abuse. In contrast, Staples (1976), Straus (1979), and Gil (1970) note that blacks may have a higher rate of certain forms of violence than whites and other minorities. Casenave and Straus (1979) found that black elderly were much less likely to be abused by a relative than were white elderly, which they suggest may be due to the influence of the family network. Sengstock and Hwalek (1978), on the other hand, found no statistical difference between whites and blacks in their study of elder abuse. Overall, research has not presented enough information about abuse among the African-American elderly to determine what does or does not exist. The authors anticipate that completion of research currently underway at the Universities of Michigan, North Carolina at Greensboro, and Minnesota will provide pertinent information on the character and nature of elderly abuse in minority communities. Interim recommendations are proposed. 85 references