Relationships among race, ethnicity, and gender and whole health among U.S. veterans.

Abstract

Racial, ethnic, and gender health care disparities in the United States are well-documented and stretch across the lifespan. Even in large integrated health care systems such as Veteran Health Administration, which are designed to provide equality in care, social and economic disparities persist, and limit patients' achievement of health goals across multiple domains. We explore Veterans' Whole Health priorities among Veteran demographic groups. Participants who were enrolling in Veteran Health Administration provided demographics and Whole Health priorities using eScreening, a web-based self-assessment tool. Veterans had similar health care goals regardless of demographic characteristics but differences were noted in current health appraisals. Non-White and women Veterans reported worse health-relevant functioning. Black Veterans were more likely to endorse a low rating for their personal development/relationships. Multiracial Veterans were more likely to endorse a low rating of their surroundings. Asian Veterans were less likely to provide a high rating of their surroundings. Women Veterans reported lower appraisals for body and personal development but higher appraisals of professional care. Results indicated that demographic factors such as race and gender, and to a lesser extent ethnicity, were associated with health disparities. The Whole Health model provides a holistic framework for addressing these disparities. These findings may inform more culturally sensitive care and enhance Veteran Health Administration equal access initiatives. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).