A multipronged approach to caring for women Veterans with military environmental exposures

Abstract: Women have a long history of service in the armed forces; however, it was not until 1948 that women were granted permanent, regular status in the military (Kamarck, 2016). In 2013, women gained full access to all aspects of military service including entry into combat roles (Kamarck, 2016). Since then, the number of women in the armed forces has steadily increased across all branches, even as the overall size of the military remains stable (Department of Defense, 2021). As of 2021, women are nearly 18% of all active-duty service members (Department of Defense, 2021). The population of women veterans is also increasing. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), there are currently more than 2 million women veterans who have served across all military branches and divisions, with women projected to be 18% of the veteran population by 2040 (Women Veterans Health Care, 2022). Women are the fastest growing group of veterans using VA services, nearly tripling in size between 2001 and 2023 (Women Veterans Health Care, 2022). Compared with men, women using VA services are more racially and ethnically diverse, more likely to live in urban settings, and include a growing share of new patients (Women Veterans Health Care, 2022). Recognition of the need to provide care tailored to women veterans for conditions related to military environmental exposures (MEEs) spurred the establishment of a Center of Excellence (CoE). The purpose of this article is to highlight the work being done at the VA through the newly established Women's Operational Military Exposure Network (WOMEN) CoE and the multipronged approach used for the care of women veterans with MEEs.

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