Examining Sex-Based Delays in Utilizing Advocacy Support Services Among Australian Military Veterans: Implications for Health Care Access and Suicide Prevention.
Andrew Prevett, Monica Short, Maxwell Morrissey, Ben Wadham
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
This study explores the impact of sex on delays experienced by Australian military veterans in accessing advocacy support services within the veterans' non-profit sector. A detailed analysis of intake records from 150 injured veterans who entered the Returned and Services League of Australia's advocacy program in 2021 reveals significant disparities between male and female veterans in seeking assistance. On average, male veterans delay accessing support by 20.4 years post-service, compared to 9.1 years for female veterans. These prolonged delays hinder veterans' ability to secure financial and medical support from the Department of Veterans' Affairs, limiting timely access to essential healthcare services. As a result, delays can exacerbate physical and psychological symptoms, impede recovery, and increase the risk of suicide. The findings provide valuable insights for international healthcare professionals on the influence of military culture and traditional masculine norms in shaping veterans' help-seeking behaviors. By understanding these dynamics, healthcare practitioners can develop targeted, sex-sensitive interventions that address specific barriers faced by male and female veterans. Ensuring timely access to advocacy support is crucial for improving health outcomes and reducing suicide risk in this vulnerable population.
本研究探讨了性别对澳大利亚退伍军人在获得退伍军人非营利部门的宣传支持服务时所经历的延迟的影响。通过对 2021 年加入澳大利亚退伍军人和服务联盟(Returned and Services League of Australia)宣传计划的 150 名受伤退伍军人的接收记录进行详细分析,发现男性和女性退伍军人在寻求援助方面存在显著差异。男性退伍军人在服役后寻求支持的时间平均延迟了 20.4 年,而女性退伍军人则延迟了 9.1 年。这些长期拖延阻碍了退伍军人从退伍军人事务部获得经济和医疗支持的能力,限制了他们及时获得必要的医疗保健服务。因此,延误会加重生理和心理症状,阻碍康复,并增加自杀风险。研究结果为国际医疗保健专业人员提供了宝贵的见解,即军事文化和传统男性规范对退伍军人求助行为的影响。通过了解这些动态变化,医疗保健从业人员可以制定有针对性的、对性别问题有敏感认识的干预措施,以解决男性和女性退伍军人面临的特定障碍。确保及时获得宣传支持对于改善这一弱势群体的健康状况和降低自杀风险至关重要。
期刊介绍:
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH) (ISSN 1660-4601) is a peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes original articles, critical reviews, research notes, and short communications in the interdisciplinary area of environmental health sciences and public health. It links several scientific disciplines including biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, cellular and molecular biology, chemistry, computer science, ecology, engineering, epidemiology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, oncology, pathology, pharmacology, and toxicology, in an integrated fashion, to address critical issues related to environmental quality and public health. Therefore, IJERPH focuses on the publication of scientific and technical information on the impacts of natural phenomena and anthropogenic factors on the quality of our environment, the interrelationships between environmental health and the quality of life, as well as the socio-cultural, political, economic, and legal considerations related to environmental stewardship and public health.
The 2018 IJERPH Outstanding Reviewer Award has been launched! This award acknowledge those who have generously dedicated their time to review manuscripts submitted to IJERPH. See full details at http://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph/awards.