Engaging veterans in conversations about health: A community partnership to promote health

Background/Objective: The high prevalence of mental health disease, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse in veterans of recent military conflicts may affect risk for chronic disease development and the self-efficacy/coping mechanisms required for optimal chronic disease management. Veteran students pursuing higher education may be particularly motivated to engage in health promotion. The study objective is to explore both motivations and barriers to improving health in this group using a shared forum, through partnership between a Veterans Affairs(VA) medical center and a community college. Methods: Veteran students at a community college were recruited to participate in focus groups. Participants discussed life priorities, motivations to improve health, and perceptions of medical care. Discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed. Data analysis utilized a conventional content analysis approach to coding and thematic development. Results: A total of 17 veteran students participated in 6 focus groups. Emergent themes included changing views of health after transition from active duty, generational differences among veterans, barriers to accessing health services, and health care costs. Concerns about basic needs such as job/ housing and providing/caring for family, stigma and privacy, and preferences related to health communication were also important themes. Conclusion: Engaging veteran students in conversations about health identified priority areas to inform interventions for chronic disease prevention. The impact of social determinants on health is significant in this group. This partnership between a VA medical center and a community college integrates primary prevention/primary care with public health, bridging a knowledge gap between clinical providers and veterans in the community.