Are Patients at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers Sicker?

Abstract

Large differences in sociodemographic status, health status, and subsequent resource use exist between the VA and the general patient population. Therefore, comparisons of VA care with non-VA care need to take these differences into account. Furthermore, health care planning and resource allocation within the VA should not be based on data extrapolated from non-VA patient populations. Arch Intern Med. 2000;160:3252-3257.

Physical activity in postdeployment Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom veterans using Department of Veterans Affairs services

“…This contrasts to Active Duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces, which involves jobs that are physical in nature and often includes regimented daily exercise. Additionally, the burden of medical morbidity and pain in the veteran population may limit physical activity in OIF/OEF veterans using VA, because these veterans have been shown to represent a lower socioeconomic group, have greater comorbidity, and have a greater prevalence of overweight and obesity than veterans not using VA [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][33][34]. The frequency of free-text responses indicating pain, depression, or disability in place of a favorite physical activity (n = 24) likely underrepresents the true prevalence, but taken together with the large percentage of participants endorsing pain or health as a limitation for physical activity (52% and 39%, respectively), it would be consistent with this national trend among VA users ( Table 3).…”

“…Furthermore, veterans receiving healthcare services from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have a greater prevalence of obesity than the general public [3][4] as well as veterans not using VA services [2,4]. In comparison with the general public and veterans not using the VA, veterans using VA services have also been shown to self-report poorer health [4][5][6]; are more likely to be physically inactive [2]; and are more likely to carry one or more chronic diagnoses such as hypertension, hypercholesteremia, and diabetes [2,4,[6][7]. Moreover, U.S. veterans who have spent time in theater often experience mental illnesses, pain syndromes, and musculoskeletal complaints [8][9][10][11][12].…”

Developing a measure for health professionals’ attitudes toward veterans

“…[2] Veterans have higher rates of multiple chronic conditions and report a lower health-related quality of life, including worse mental and physical health status, as compared to non-veterans. [3][4][5] Therefore, it is imperative that health systems and professionals are prepared to treat the complex needs of veterans. However, little is known about the attitudes that nurses and other healthcare providers have toward veteran patients, particularly those working in community-based settings where it is unlikely training on veterans' experiences and health issues has occurred.…”

Building Care Systems to Improve Access for High-Risk and Vulnerable Veteran Populations

“…The Veterans Administration cares for a disproportionate number of disadvantaged, low-income and high-risk individuals 1 .…”