Federal Health Care Data Trends: Gulf War & Post-9/11 Veterans

Currently, the largest growing percentage of veterans are those who served during the Gulf War and Post-9/11 era. Over the next few years, nearly every state in the US can expect growth in this veteran population greater than 20%. Although this group of 4.1 million veterans tend to use their VA health benefits less than do the veterans of previous eras, these veterans also exhibit some unique qualities not previously seen in VA patient populations. These veterans already have been identified to be at an increased risk of acquiring several diseases, which include arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and sleep apnea. But perhaps the biggest shift, and the one that could require the most change in the way the Veterans Health Administration provides care, is along gender lines.

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