Take Charge of Your Health Today. Supporting veterans’ health using data to promote health equity

This month’s health page “Take Charge of Your Health Today. Be Informed. Be Involved.” addresses a vitally important topic – the health of those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Many of us have family members and loved ones who have served in our military. In fact, Black Americans are well-represented in military service – a higher proportion of individuals identifying as Black work in the U.S. Armed Forces compared to the general civilian population. This involvement of Black/African American individuals (especially Black men) in the military related to the reality that military service is one pathway to economic stability and mobility for people of color in this country.

As a result, there is a disproportionate burden on Black Americans who are serving our nation and being placed in harm’s way. Our veterans return to civilian life, often related to an injury, and struggle with high levels of mental health problems and substance use disorders, traumatic stress symptoms, and traumatic brain injury

Dr. Leslie Hausmann’s research, featured this month, focuses on providing appropriate health care for life after military service. She shows that disparities in health and health care exist for veterans, similar to other populations. She shares with us that fundamental to eliminating disparities in veterans’ health is recognizing that these disparities exist and working to address these disparities intentionally. This includes disparities based on being a sexual minority (lesbian, gay, or bisexual) and identifying as female (unique challenges experienced by female veterans including exposure to sexual violence).

Particularly exciting about Dr. Hausmann’s work is the development of the VA Primary Care Equity Dashboard which any VA can use to look at how they are doing regarding disparities among the veterans they are caring for. Having data that is easily accessible also allows for implementing important quality improvement initiatives that address specific disparities and evaluating those efforts. Dr. Hausmann and her team are doing an incredible job with coaching and facilitating the VAs on how to use these data and work towards making concrete improvements. Knowledge, transparency, and access to data – these are all key to creating community and cultural change.

I am so pleased that the Pittsburgh VA’s Center for Health Equity and Promotion is leading the way nationally on helping us to eliminate health and health care disparities for our veterans.

Esther Bush

President

and CEO

Urban League

of Greater

Pittsburgh

 

 

 

 

 

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