Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the VA Healthcare: A Systematic Review; Department of Veterans AffairsHealth Services Research & Development Service, June 2007
The VA’s own internal review highlighted the need for the development and launch of tools to assist patients and healthcare providers more effectively interact. There is a recognized need to improve the health outcomes for the VA’s diverse patient population. Currently the is documented disparities in care delivery and outcomes in the following disease states (Mental Health and Substance Abuse; Arthritis and Pain Management; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cancer; Diabetes; and HIV / Hepatitis C. The VA also noted the VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) that disproportionately serve minority veterans have fewer available services or deliver lower quality care overall than VAMCs serving predominately white veterans.
http://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/publications/esp/RacialDisparities-2007.pdf
