Open AccessMortality Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups in the Veterans Health Administration: An Evidence Review and Map
Author(s) -
Kim Peterson,
Johanna Anderson,
Erin Boundy,
Lauren Ferguson,
Ellen McCleery,
Kallie Waldrip
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2017.304246
Subject(s) - medicine , health equity , ethnic group , health care , population , life expectancy , medline , gerontology , health services research , race and health , family medicine , public health , environmental health , nursing , political science , law
Continued racial/ethnic health disparities were recently described as "the most serious and shameful health care issue of our time." Although the 2014 US Affordable Care Act-mandated national insurance coverage expansion has led to significant improvements in health care coverage and access, its effects on life expectancy are not yet known. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the largest US integrated health care system, has a sustained commitment to health equity that addresses all 3 stages of health disparities research: detection, understanding determinants, and reduction or elimination. Despite this, racial disparities still exist in the VHA across a wide range of clinical areas and service types.