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Study Protocol: Southern Women Veterans' Health Study
Steven S Coughlin1, Kimberly Sullivan2
1Department of Clinical and Digital Health Sciences, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
Annals of Epidemiology and Public Health
|October 23, 2018
Summary
This study surveys women veterans in Georgia to understand their physical and mental health needs across different eras of service. Findings will inform targeted healthcare for this growing demographic.
Area of Science:
- Military Medicine
- Public Health
- Gerontology
Background:
- Limited research exists on the health of women veterans, particularly those in the Southern U.S.
- Increasing numbers of women in the military necessitate dedicated health studies.
- Understanding the health of women veterans, including those in rural areas and those utilizing VA services, is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the physical and mental health of women veterans in Georgia across various service eras (Vietnam, 1991 Gulf War, post-9/11).
- To establish a longitudinal cohort of women veterans for follow-up studies.
- To create a cohort for future Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved clinical research.
Main Methods:
- A postal survey of up to 1,000 women veterans in Georgia.
- A follow-up survey in 4 to 5 years to collect longitudinal health data.
- Assessment of longitudinal changes in physical and mental health over time.
Main Results:
- The study is designed to provide a comprehensive health picture of women veterans.
- It will address diverse health outcomes, including reproductive and chronic conditions.
- Data will highlight differences in health outcomes compared to male counterparts.
Conclusions:
- This research will offer a comprehensive view of women veterans' health across their lifespan.
- It addresses the need for surveillance of health outcomes in diverse populations and healthcare settings.
- The longitudinal design will yield critical insights into age-related health changes in women veterans.