Description

As more women serve in the military, the number of women veterans has grown substantially, doubling from 4 percent of all veterans in 1990 to 8 percent, or an estimated 1.8 million, today. The number of women veterans will continue to increase as servicemembers return from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some of these women veterans, like their male counterparts, face challenges readjusting to civilian life and are at risk of becoming homeless. Additionally, as more women veterans are seeking care at VA facilities, Congress and others have raised concerns about how well VAs health care system is prepared to meet the unique physical and mental health needs of these women. This book examines the issues of women veterans health care and the key policies needed to improve oversight processes and the necessary actions that need to be taken to ensure safe and appropriate housing upon their return.