Air Force partners with VA, implements Women’s Health Transition Pilot Program

The Air Force partnered with the Department of Veteran Affairs to implement the first Women’s Health Transition Pilot Program. The pilot program is an in-person course designed to provide a female perspective to active-duty, Reserve and guard servicewomen who plan to transition to civilian or Reserve/Guard status.

According to the VA, women are the fastest growing subgroup of U.S. veterans. They face greater health-related challenges after military service compared to their male counterparts, including: chronic pain, obesity, musculoskeletal issues, depression and suicide. Since 2001, age-adjusted rates of suicide among women veterans have increased by 85.2 percent, versus 30.5 percent among men.

“The biggest obstacle that the VA faces is simply awareness on what they provide to female veterans,” said Maj. Alea Nadeem, Headquarters Air Force deputy mission manager and member of the Women Initiatives Team. “That statistic, it was heartbreaking to learn, and it really drove me to help in developing this program that could potentially save lives.”

Data collected uncovered that fewer women veterans seek services and support from the VA. Women veterans that do seek Veterans Health Administration care do not connect with VHA until an average of 2.7 years post military service or until mental or physical health issues have manifested.

“These trends underscore the need to recruit servicewomen into VHA health care and support services immediately after military separation,” said Nadeem.

Developed in late 2017, the VA Women’s Health Transition Pilot Program curriculum started with two initial pilot sessions in February 2018, and then officially began it’s nearly 9-month pilot period after the first courses were provided at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, and the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, in July 2018.

“By providing relevant VHA health enrollment information, and describing the extent and depth of services offered at VHA, related to women’s health, women veterans will learn how to access the health care services that they need and want at the VA in a timely manner,” said Nadeem.

The courses are currently being provided in five different locations. To attend an upcoming course at one of the available locations, contact your local Airman and Family Readiness Center. Information is available below: