Rural Veterans' Experiences with Social Risk Factors: Impacts, Challenges, and Care System Recommendations.

Background: Social risk factors, such as food insecurity and financial needs, are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, health conditions that are highly prevalent in rural populations. A better understanding of rural Veterans' experiences with social risk factors can inform expansion of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) efforts to address social needs.

Objective: To examine social risk and need from rural Veterans' lived experiences and develop recommendations for VHA to address social needs.

Prevalence and Determinants of Unmet Social Needs Among Rural and Urban Veterans.

Purpose: To examine the prevalence and determinants of nine unmet social needs among rural compared with urban Veterans.

Methods: Retrospective study using survey data collected in 2020 merged with Veterans Health Administration (VA) administrative data. For each unmet need, separate logistic regression modes were run predicting the odds of rural compared with urban Veterans endorsing the need adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities.

Relationship Between Unmet Social Needs and Care Access in a Veteran Cohort.

Background: The association between unmet social needs (e.g., food insecurity) and adverse health outcomes is well-established, especially for patients with and at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).