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Study of Barriers for Women Veterans to VA Health Care: April 2015 (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Category: Health Care
In the early 1980s, the VA officially opened its doors to all women veterans. Progress to offer women veterans comprehensive health care continues to be collaboratively worked between Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Utilizing VA VetPop2011, the VA veteran population model, about 10% of the 22 million living veterans are women. Women are the fastest growing VA veteran cohort, projected to make up almost 18% of otthe total veteran population by 2040.
This study identified nine barriers women veterans face in receiving VA health care. They are the:
- Perceived stigma associated with seeking mental health care services
- Effect of driving distance or availability of other forms of transportation to the nearest medical facility on access to care
- Availability of childcare while using VA services
- Acceptability of integrated primary care, women's health clinics or both
- Comprehension of eligibility requirements for, and the scope of services available under, hospital care and medical services
- Perception of personal safety and comfort in inpatient, outpatient and behavioral health facilities
- Gender sensitivity of health care providers and staff to issues that particularly affect women
- Effectiveness of outreach for health care services to women Veterans
- Location and operating hours of health care facilities that provides services to women Veterans
External Website:
Department of Veterans Affairs Women's Health Services
Downloads (PDF documents)