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. 2016 May 9;5(4):13.

Current and Projected Characteristics and Unique Health Care Needs of the Patient Population Served by the Department of Veterans Affairs

Christine Eibner, Heather Krull, Kristine M Brown, Matthew Cefalu, Andrew W Mulcahy, Michael Pollard, Kanaka Shetty, David M Adamson, Ernesto F L Amaral, Philip Armour, Trinidad Beleche, Olena Bogdan, Jaime Hastings, Kandice Kapinos, Amii Kress, Joshua Mendelsohn, Rachel Ross, Carolyn M Rutter, Robin M Weinick, Dulani Woods, Susan D Hosek, Carrie M Farmer

Current and Projected Characteristics and Unique Health Care Needs of the Patient Population Served by the Department of Veterans Affairs

Christine Eibner et al. Rand Health Q. .

Abstract

The Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 addressed the need for access to timely, high-quality health care for veterans. Section 201 of the legislation called for an independent assessment of various aspects of veterans' health care. The RAND Corporation was tasked with an assessment of the current and projected demographics and health care needs of patients served by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The number of U.S. veterans will continue to decline over the next decade, and the demographic mix and geographic locations of these veterans will change. While the number of veterans using VA health care has increased over time, demand will level off in the coming years. Veterans have more favorable economic circumstances than non-veterans, but they are also older and more likely to be diagnosed with many health conditions. Not all veterans are eligible for or use VA health care. Whether and to what extent an eligible veteran uses VA health care depends on a number of factors, including access to other sources of health care. Veterans who rely on VA health care are older and less healthy than veterans who do not, and the prevalence of costly conditions in this population is projected to increase. Potential changes to VA policy and the context for VA health care, including effects of the Affordable Care Act, could affect demand. Analysis of a range of data sources provided insight into how the veteran population is likely to change in the next decade.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Socioeconomic Characteristics of the Veteran and Non-Veteran Civilian Population, by Sex, 2009–2013
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
The Number of U.S. Veterans Will Decline by 19 Percent by 2024
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Veterans Have Higher Diagnosed Prevalence of Several Key Health Conditions (Unadjusted Prevalence)
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Veterans Have a Higher Prevalence of Several Key Health Conditions (Adjusted Prevalence)
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
VA Patients Have a Higher Prevalence of Several Key Health Conditions (Unadjusted Prevalence)
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Projected Unadjusted Prevalence of Selected Health Conditions Among Veterans (2015–2024)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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