ARMY NAVY AIR FORCE USPHS
The number of female veterans in the United States has been steadily rising. However, the support and recognition for their service often lag behind. Contrary to popular perception, these women constitute a significant portion of the military. Here are some crucial female veterans facts:
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Women make up about 10% of the veteran population in the United States.
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There are over two million female veterans in the United States today.
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Female veterans are younger on average compared to their male counterparts.
Unique Challenges Faced By Female Veterans
Female veterans face an array of challenges that can make their transition back to civilian life incredibly difficult. Notably, homeless female veterans represent a growing concern. The Department of Veterans Affairs reports that the rate of homelessness among female veterans tripled between 2010 and 2015, with it expected to rise 9% more by 2025. Further, female veterans are more than twice as likely to experience homelessness than women who did not serve in the military.
The reasons for this alarming trend are multifaceted, including factors such as economic instability, lack of affordable housing, and mental health issues. To understand more about the dangers of homelessness for veterans, click here.
Another prominent challenge is mental health, with a staggering number of female veterans with PTSD. Military sexual trauma (MST) is a significant contributor to this issue, with 1 in 3 female service members reporting such experiences during their military service.
The Female Veteran Suicide Prevention Act was enacted to address the disturbing female veteran statistics surrounding mental health issues and suicide rates. Despite these efforts, more needs to be done, as the suicide rate among female veterans remains significantly higher than that of their civilian counterparts.
Report issues with women's healthcare using the 'Report Healthcare Issue', below. Submit any articles, reports,
and items of interest HERE.
Existing Services
Articles of Interest
Legislation
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Additional Resources
Report Healthcare Issue
Existing Services
Whether you use a Military Treatment Facility, TRICARE, or the Veterans Administration for your healthcare needs, there are special programs to address Women's Healthcare issues. We have tried to consolidate some of the links to assist in finding out further information and resources available. If you find existing issues involving women's healthcare let us know by using the above link to 'Report Healthcare Issue'.
Women's Health
The Military Health System provides comprehensive women’s and gender-specific care associated with cardiovascular health, mental health, musculoskeletal injuries and reproductive health care. Our goal is to ensure the health of all women at every stage of life. No matter what your age, you can take simple steps to live healthier.
Women's Health
Women's Health refers to comprehensive women’s health care as well as health issues that are unique to women, including:
Pregnancy
Menopause
Conditions of the female organs
Be sure to get early and regular prenatal care to ensure you have a healthy pregnancy. You should also get recommended breast cancer, cervical cancer, and bone density screenings. For women who are age 65 and older and using TRICARE For Life, you can still get women’s preventive screenings.
Our goal is to ensure the health and readiness of all women at every stage of life.
Welcome to Women Veterans Health Care!
We're glad you are here! Use this site to find the available health services and resources you have earned as a woman Veteran.
Are you using all the health benefits you have earned?
Only 44% of women Veterans are enrolled in VA health care. Learn about benefits and services available for transitioning Service women and recently separated women Veterans in the Women's Health Transition Training Handbook.
A majority of women Veterans are not utilizing their earned benefits. As a result, they do not have access to the VA health care system or the low- or cost-free care it offers.
It's never too late to enroll in VA health care services.
ARTICLES OF INTEREST
CLICK ON TITLE TO READ ARTICLE
The Barriers for Women Veterans to VA Health Care 2024 report examines the input of over 7,000 women Veterans and shows that women are happier with VA health care than ever before. This comprehensive study provides crucial insights into your experiences and highlights both our successes and areas where we can do better.
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Women veterans are twice as likely to attempt suicide than male veterans and are about twice as likely to die by suicide than their civilian counterparts.
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Among women veterans who use VA care, around 1 in 3 report experiencing MST. Veterans with a history of MST experience a higher prevalence of substance abuse and are at an increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
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Nearly 1 in 5 women veterans using VA primary care reported experiencing intimate partner violence in the past year, an experience strongly associated with suicidal ideation.
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Veterans using VA maternity care are more likely than the general population to have one or more mental health diagnoses, including PTSD, which can put them at greater risk for suicidal ideation.
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Menopause has been shown to raise the risk for depression in U.S. women twofold and corresponds to the highest rates of suicide in women.
Empowering Women's Health: GYN-COE's 20-Year Journey of Innovation and Impact
The Gynecologic Cancer Center of Excellence (GYN-COE) commemorates a 20-year journey of pioneering research, collaboration, and commitment to advancing women’s health and military readiness.
This forum brought together women Veterans, transitioning service women, Veteran Service Organizations, state and local government leaders, community partners and other stakeholders to learn about and share better opportunities for the fastest-growing demographic within the Veteran community.
LEGISLATION
Legislative Issues
S. 4246: Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women’s Health Act
Shall coordinate and expand research activities conducted by all institutes, centers, and offices of the National Institutes of Health to develop and implement Federal research programs with respect to— the impact of the symptoms and trajectories of changes across the menopausal transition and the postmenopausal period on women’s physical, mental, behavioral, and cognitive health; and the prevention of related adverse health outcomes among women during the menopausal transition and the postmenopausal period.
H.R. 7596: Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act
Conduct or fund research related to menopause, perimenopause, or mid-life health regarding women who are members of the Armed Forces or veterans.
H.R. 7214: The Improving Access to Maternal Health for Military and Dependent Moms Act
Address staffing shortages that impact the positions in MTFs
To improve the delivery and availability of maternal health services through military medical treatment facilities and improve patient experience; and to improve continuity of prenatal care and postpartum care for covered individuals during a permanent change of station.
H.R. 7087: The Maintaining our Obligation to Moms who Serve (MOMS) Act
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish a pilot program within military medical treatment facilities to assess the feasibility and impact of providing evidence-based prevention programs for perinatal mental health conditions to pregnant and postpartum members of the Armed Forces and beneficiaries.
S. 1028/H.R. 2441: The Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support (SAVES) Act.
This bill modifies and implements policies and procedures related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and benefits for veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST), which is generally defined as physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment that occurred while the veteran was serving in the military.
