Veteran Health Equity: Reflecting on Patient Experiences and Unmet Health Needs Among Veterans of Color

Research has consistently demonstrated the presence and severity of racial health disparities in the U.S., particularly for Black Americans. Many of the root causes of these disparities are complex and are associated with various forms of structural discrimination. This study examines the health experiences of veterans of color, particularly their interactions in the VA and Military Health system to better understand racial/ethnic disparities across disease burden, mortality, and indicators of patient healthcare experiences. This mixed-methods study included an online survey (n=219) and virtual focus groups and one-on-one interviews (n=17). Overall, a majority of study participants had positive patient experiences from the VA and community providers. Although most participants' perceptions of their patient experiences were largely positive, there was substantial variation in patient experiences when we accounted for gender, and interviews with veterans of color highlight several barriers to care, qualities of both positive and negative healthcare encounters, and considerations for delivering culturally competent care to veterans.