Progress in Women Veterans’ Health
By: VA’s Center for Women Veterans, Women Veterans Health Strategic Health Care Group Summit
Held every four years, the National Summit on Women Veterans Issues focuses on current initiatives for women veterans, issues of concern to the women veterans community, and on how these issues might be addressed through legislative, programmatic and outreach activities. The Center for Women Veterans sponsored the first National Summit on Women Veterans Issues in 1996.
Women Veterans
Women now comprise 14% of active duty deployed forces - and are becoming veterans at an increasing rate
During Gulf War I (1991) Women were 10% of Deployed Active Duty, 5% of forces overall
From WWII- Vietnam era, women comprised between 3-5% of Active Duty
Mission: Quality Women’s Health In VA
Provide highest quality health care to every woman veteran
Each woman veteran presenting at VA will be assured that her gender-specific primary care needs will be met by a proficient and interested primary care provider
Highest quality: includes privacy, dignity, and sensitivity to all health needs
Highest quality: is providing the right care in the right place and time
The New OIF/OEF Era Veteran
She is utilizing VA services: 42% enroll
She is coming to VA frequently
45% were seen 2-10 visits
38.5 % seen 11 or more times since 2003
VHA Challenge: The total number of women using VA services will nearly double in the next 2-4 years. How will VHA best provide health services as the numbers increase?
Women Veterans Program Evolution Since Summit 2004
Accomplishments: Gender-specific care
Adoption of Performance Measures/goals
Breast Cancer mammograms > 86% compliance
Cervical Cancer Screening > 90% compliance
Bone density for Osteoporosis risk- ongoing measures
New purchases this year, now DEXA machines in nearly every VA
Delivery of care models:
Most frequent: Mixed gender Primary Care with separate visit to GYN (43%)
Research data on patient satisfaction with specific delivery models: Highest in women’s primary care clinics that also provide GYN care
We are working quickly towards more women’s health Primary Care Clinics
Women’s Health Moves Forward
Dr Kussman elevated office from Women Veterans Health Program to Women Veterans Health Strategic Health Care Group in March, 2007
Moves focus beyond gender-specific care such as Pap Smears to comprehensive care of women - and women’s health as a subpopulation of all veterans
Increased focus on quality of care issues and comprehensive longitudinal care for women veterans
Follow health of women over time and track effects of deployments on women veterans
Earlier Eras of Service: WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War I
Different Needs
We don’t lose sight of our “aging women”
Significant numbers over age 55 use VA
Cardiac risk : the number one risk for morbidity and mortality in women
High prevalence of diabetes and obesity
Health concerns of peri-menopause and menopause
Cancer screenings –breast, lung, colorectal, cervical cancers
You Served - You Deserve
At VA, our mission is to provide you the BEST health care available anywhere in the country.