Characteristics and Health Care Preferences Associated with Cardiovascular Disease Risk among Women Veterans.

Goldstein KM, Oddone EZ, Bastian LA, Olsen MK, Batch BC, Washington DL. Characteristics and Health Care Preferences Associated with Cardiovascular Disease Risk among Women Veterans. Women's health issues : official publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. 2017 Nov 1; 27(6):700-706.

Related HSR&D Project(s)

• SDR 08-270 – Assessment of the Health Care Needs and Barriers to VA Use Experienced by Women
• IIR 08-297 – Cardiovascular Intervention Improvement Telemedicine Study
• CDA 13-263 – Peer Support for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in Female Veterans

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Women veterans are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), but little is known about comorbidities and healthcare preferences associated with CVD risk in this population. METHODS: We describe the prevalence of CVD-relevant health behaviors, mental health symptoms, and health care use characteristics and preferences among participants of the National Survey of Women Veterans (conducted 2008-2009). FINDINGS: Fifty-four percent of respondents were at risk for CVD (defined as a diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes, current tobacco use, or obesity without CVD). In unadjusted analysis, ORs for being at risk for CVD were greater among those interested in gender-specific clinical settings (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.2-3.4) and gender-specific weight loss programs (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-2.9). ORs were also greater for women who were physically inactive (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.3), with current symptoms of depression (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.1-6.1), anxiety (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.6), and posttraumatic stress disorder (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.2-4.8). Adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, marital status, education level, employment, and source of health care use, the ORs for CVD risk were higher for women with current posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (2.5; 95% CI, 1.1-5.3) and gender-specific health care preferences (2.0; 95% CI, 1.1-3.4), and gender-specific weight loss programs (1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.2). CONCLUSIONS: Risk for CVD was common and preferences for gender-specific care and posttraumatic stress disorder were associated with being at risk for CVD. Women's health clinics may be a good location for targeted CVD prevention interventions for women veterans both in and outside the Veterans Health Administration.