Health Disparities Among LGBT Women Veterans

The Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) Office of Health Equity (OHE) champions eliminating health disparities and achieving health equity for all Veterans, including those with LGBT and related identities. Recent CDC data shows sexual minority women Veterans have more chronic health conditions and report worse health compared to straight women Veterans and non-Veterans. They are also more likely to be current smokers, engage in excessive drinking, feel sad or lonely. Additional research finds sexual minority women Veterans are at higher risk of military sexual assault and current intimate partner violence. Further, ethnic and sexual minority women Veterans experience higher levels of distress than white sexual minority women. Barriers to receiving culturally competent healthcare can contribute to worse health outcomes for LGBT individuals. A provider’s knowledge of a patient’s LGBT status is essential to providing appropriate prevention screening and care.

For additional information about the care VA offers to LGBT Veterans, visit: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/index.asp.

The LGBT Veteran Care Coordinator (LGBT VCC) can also help you get the care you need. Contact the LGBT VCC at your nearest facility: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/VAFacilities.asp

https://www.va.gov/HEALTHEQUITY/Health_Disparities_Among_LGBT_Women_Veterans.asp?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=