Journal article
Health and Health Care Access of Rural Women Veterans: Findings From the National Survey of Women Veterans
The Journal of rural health, Vol.32(4), pp.397-406
09/2016
DOI: 10.1111/jrh.12197
PMID: 27466970
Abstract
Disparities in health and health care access between rural and urban Americans are well documented. There is evidence that these disparities are mirrored within the US veteran population. However, there are few studies assessing this issue among women veterans (WVs).
Using the 2008-2009 National Survey of Women Veterans, a population-based cross-sectional national telephone survey, we examined rural WVs' health and health care access compared to urban WVs. We measured health using the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form (SF-12); access using measures of regular source of care (RSOC), health care utilization, and unmet needs; and barriers to getting needed care.
Rural WVs have significantly worse physical health functioning compared to urban WVs (mean physical component score of 43.6 for rural WVs versus 47.2 for urban WVs; P = .007). Rural WVs were more likely to have a VA RSOC (16.4% versus 10.6%; P = .009) and use VA health care (21.7% versus 12.9%; P < .001), and had fewer non-VA health care visits compared with urban WVs (mean 4.2 versus 5.9; P = .021). They had similar overall numbers of health care visits (mean 5.8 versus 7.1; P = .11 ). Access barriers were affordability for rural WVs and work release time for urban WVs. Rural WVs additionally reported that transportation was a major factor affecting health care decisions.
Our findings demonstrate VA's crucial role in addressing disparities in health and health care access for rural WVs. As VA continues to strive to optimally meet the needs of all WVs, innovative care models need to account for their high health care needs and persistent barriers to care.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Health and Health Care Access of Rural Women Veterans: Findings From the National Survey of Women Veterans
- Creators
- Kristina M Cordasco - Department of Medicine, University of California Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California. kristina.cordasco@va.govMichelle A Mengeling - Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IowaElizabeth M Yano - Department of Health Policy and Management, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CaliforniaDonna L Washington - Department of Medicine, University of California Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Journal of rural health, Vol.32(4), pp.397-406
- DOI
- 10.1111/jrh.12197
- PMID
- 27466970
- ISSN
- 0890-765X
- eISSN
- 1748-0361
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/100000738, name: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; DOI: 10.13039/100007217, name: Health Services Research and Development, award: #SDR‐08‐270
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/2016
- Academic Unit
- General Internal Medicine; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984094325302771
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