Publication year
2012
Citation Title
Health indicators for military, veteran, and civilian women.
Journal Name
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Journal Volume
42
Issue Number
5
Page Numbers
473-480
DOI
10.1016/j.amepre.2012.01.006
Summary
Data from a population-based study including civilians, Veterans Active Duty, and National Guard or Reserves members were used to compare the health status of women who have served in the military to that of civilians. Results indicate that although National Guard or Reserve women (similar outcomes) and Active Duty women (better outcomes) compared favorably, Veterans consistently reported poorer health outcomes than civilian women.
Key Findings
Veterans consistently reported poorer general health and a greater likelihood of a chronic health condition such as cardiovascular disease compared to civilian and Active Duty women.
Veterans were more likely than civilians to report a history of depressive disorder and more likely than Active Duty women to report a history of anxiety disorder.
Tobacco use and lack of exercise were most commonly reported among Veterans.
National Guard and Reserve women were more likely to be overweight or obese and to report both depression and anxiety than Active Duty and civilian women.
Implications for Program Leaders
Disseminate information regarding gender-based health risks for Service members and Veterans
Offer opportunities for Service members and their families to engage in recreational or physical activities on base
Educate Service members about how to maintain healthy habits once they leave the military
Implications for Policy Makers
Support awareness campaigns regarding health risks for female Service members
Encourage collaboration between the DoD and community-based health care agencies to meet the continued health needs of female Service members and their families
Support programs that encourage health-promoting behaviors (e.g., physical activity, healthy eating) to help mitigate obesity and other health related concerns among Service members
Methods
Data from the CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a national telephone survey conducted annually to monitor health conditions and risk behaviors in U.S. adults, were used in the analyses.
Analyzed data were from the 2010 BRFSS and this article focused on a nationally representative sample of Active Duty, National Guard or Reserve Veterans, and civilian women.
Weighted proportions of health characteristics were summarized for women across military status groups.
Participants
Participants included Active Duty military (n = 611), Veteran (n = 4,221), National Guard or Reserve (n = 995), and civilian (n = 274,399) women.
Ages ranged from 18 to over 65 years and White, non-Hispanic represented the largest percentage across all groups (range: 60 to 69%).
Military branch data were not provided.
Limitations
Selected participants may differ from non-participants in a way that is not measured, but affected the outcome variables; the random-digit-dial landline telephone survey excluded all households with only cellular coverage.
Cross-sectional data does not allow researchers to test health differences experienced as a woman transitions from civilian to Active Duty to Veteran status.
Some outcomes were measured with just a single item and others (i.e., mental health) were collected in a small subset of the sample with could bias results.
Avenues for Future Research
Include longitudinal research that tracks military women’s healthcare across the lifespan as they transition from military to civilian/retired status
Explore which factors might lead to greater reports of health problems (e.g., deployment experiences, social support)
Replicate the study with a male Active Duty, Veteran, and civilian sample
Focus
Multiple Branches
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Component
Abstract
Background: Women who have served in the military are a rapidly growing population. No previous studies have compared directly their health status to that of civilians. Purpose: To provide estimates of several leading U.S. health indicators by military service status among women. Methods: Data were obtained from the 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, a U.S. population-based study. Health outcomes were compared by military status using multivariable logistic regression among the female participants (274,399 civilians, 4221 veterans, 661 active duty, and 995 National Guard or Reserves [NG/R]). Data were analyzed in August 2011. Results: Veterans reported poorer general health and greater incidence of health risk behaviors, mental health conditions, and chronic health conditions than civilian women. Active duty women reported better access to health care, better physical health, less engagement in health risk behaviors, and greater likelihood of having had a recent Pap than civilian women. Women from the NG/R were comparable to civilians across most health domains, although they had a greater likelihood of being overweight or obese and reporting a depressive and anxiety disorder. Conclusions: Compared with civilian women, NG/R women rated their health and access to health care similarly and active duty women rated theirs better on several domains, but veterans consistently reported poorer health.
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