title: Exploring veteran identity and health services use among Native American veterans.
abstract: The objectives of this study were to describe the military experiences of Native American veterans and to explore how factors related to veteran identity influence their use of health services. Study participants completed a demographic and health questionnaire, followed by participation in a focus group session. The findings revealed that, despite their negative experiences during military service, most participants had a positive veteran identity. Almost 46% of participants reported having a service-related illness or injury. Almost one-third (28.2%) used the Indian Health Service (IHS) exclusively for their health care, followed by those who used both IHS and Veterans Affairs (VA) services (23.5%), followed by VA-only users (21.2%). We conclude that Native American veterans highly identify with their military service but may turn to IHS for their medical care. The data support the current VA policy of strengthening coordination with the IHS to ensure that the medical needs of Native American veterans are addressed.
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Harada
authors.forename: Valentine M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Villa
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Reifel
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bayhylle
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017144:Focus Groups; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008887:Military Medicine; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000208:ethnology; D012933:Social Identification; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D016549:United States Indian Health Service; D014728:Veterans / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000208:ethnology