VA Celebrates Mother’s Day
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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – WASHINGTON (May 6, 2011) – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has always recognized and appreciated the special sacrifice that families make when military service crosses generations. In recent years, VA has
watched with pride as this special generational service has increasingly extended to mothers and their daughters.
“It is inspiring to witness daughters following in their mothers’
footsteps as they join the military, just as sons have long followed the
brave example set by their fathers and grandfathers,” said Secretary of
Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “On Mother’s Day, VA is celebrating
the Veteran mothers who have proudly shown their daughters and sons, and
this Nation, the incredible capabilities of women.”
Women Veterans are one of the fastest growing segments of the Veteran
population. Of the 22.7 million living Veterans, more than 1.8 million
are women. They comprise nearly 8 percent of the total Veteran
population and 6 percent of all Veterans who use VA health care
services.
VA estimates women Veterans will constitute 10 percent of the Veteran
population and 9.5 percent of VA patients by 2020.
“The number of women using VA health care has doubled in the last decade
and we are working tirelessly to ensure they receive the high-quality
care they have earned,” said Patricia Hayes, Chief Consultant of the
VA’s Women Veterans Health Strategic Health Care Group. “We must
recognize the contribution of our women Veterans and deliver on our
promise to give them the best care anywhere.”
Women aged 45 and older make up the largest subpopulation seeking
healthcare. To meet their unique needs, providers are trained in all
aspects of women’s health, including general primary care, osteoporosis
management, heart disease, mental health care, menopausal services, and
age-related issues such as diabetes. Preventive screenings for breast
and cervical cancer are both areas in which VA excels. Soon, all VA
facilities will offer comprehensive primary care for women from a single
provider.
The Women Veterans Health Care program has made significant changes in a
few short years to enhance the health care offered to eligible women
Veterans. This progress includes:
* Adopting key policies to improve access and enhance services
for women Veterans
* Implementing comprehensive primary care for women Veterans
* Conducting cutting-edge research on the effects of military
service on women’s lives
* Improving communication and outreach to women Veterans
* Providing mental health, homelessness and other services
designed to meet the unique needs of women Veterans
For more information about VA programs and services for women Veterans,
please visit: www.va.gov/womenvet and
www.publichealth.va.gov/womenshealth.
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