The nation’s veterans are in better health than the average citizen, yet they face distinct disparities, according to a report.

The United Health Foundation (UHF) issued its America’s Health Rankings Health of Those Who Have Served Report, reflecting UHF’s commitment to provide data to advance health for those who have served. The report, issued in partnership with the Military Officers Association of America, is the result of a collaborative effort with military, veterans and public health organizations aimed at developing a holistic study of the health of those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces compared with the health of civilians.

The report, based on a sample of 400,000 individuals from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, is an analysis of 24 health measures. Those who have served were found to:

• Report that their health is very good or excellent at a greater rate than civilians
• Face distinct health challenges, including higher rates of coronary heart disease, heart attack and cancer than civilian peers
• Have lower rates of physical inactivity at all ages compared to civilians
• Have higher rates of health insurance coverage and use of preventive services, but are less likely to have a personal healthcare provider than their civilian peers.

NJHA’s Health Research and Educational Trust has partnered with UHF under a funded initiative aimed at facilitating access to care for veterans. Veteran Navigators support member hospitals at table events and act as liaisons in the community to assist in connecting discharged patients to wraparound supports. Trained in the Health COACH model, the Veteran Navigators are certified in Mental Health First Aid. Visit the NJHA Serving Those Who Served Facebook page for an update on events and activities aimed as supporting the state’s Veterans and military families. For information on hosting a Mental Health First Aid training, contact NJHA’s Mary Ditri.