# Disruption of Health Services: The Impact of COVID-19 on Veterans with SCI/D

> **NIH VA I01** · JAMES J PETERS VA  MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · —

## Abstract

Background: As of May 19, 2022, 3,427 of the 17,307 Veterans living with spinal cord injury and disorders (SCI/D)
who have received services from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in fiscal year (FY) 2022 had a
confirmed positive COVID-19 test, with 187 COVID-related deaths. Stay-at-home orders and social distancing
guidelines during the pandemic have had numerous effects on this population including disrupting healthcare,
increased mortality and morbidity as well as negative psychosocial effects. Veterans with SCI/D are a unique
population within the VHA who are primarily served at 25 SCI/D Centers nationally. Veterans with SCI/D have
higher rates of chronic physical conditions than other Veterans. Research on the pandemic impact on Veterans
with SCI/D is scant but critical to study because these individuals utilize VHA health services as their primary
source of health care and SCI/D support (e.g., wheelchair repair, home-based care, bowel and bladder care,
assistive technology, etc.). To inform program planning and resource allocation, it is essential to know how the
COVID-19 pandemic has impacted health service delivery, access to essential resources, and mortality and
morbidity among Veterans with SCI/D. This explanatory mixed methods study will fill this gap in knowledge by
examining patient-, community-, and system-level factors related to changes in health services care, physical
and mental health outcomes in Veterans with SCI/D.
Significance: Given the elevated risk of chronic physical conditions and mortality for Veterans with SCI/D, it is
imperative that VHA provides health services to address the needs of this population. This study responds to the
VA SCI/D National Program Office priorities to support, promote, and maintain the health, independence, quality
of life, and productivity of Veterans with SCI/D throughout their lives. Further, this project identifies challenges
faced by Veterans with SCI/D during the COVID-19 pandemic and utilizes these results to inform health services
for future emergency events and global disasters.
Specific Aims: The project’s three aims are scientifically important and reflect extensive input from key Veteran
and SCI/D stakeholders regarding how to improve the quality of SCI/D services: (1) Identify COVID-19 related
disruptions and adaptations in health services utilization and mortality and morbidity among Veterans with
SCI/D; (2) Qualitatively evaluate Veterans’ and providers’ perspectives on how health services utilization
changed during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent impact on mortality and morbidity; and (3) Examine
Veterans experiences and decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methodology: Our study is guided by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health
conceptual framework. In Aim 1, we will estimate incidence rate ratios of health services utilization, morbidity,
and mortality in the year prior and years 1 and 2 after the start of the pande...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10871684
- **Project number:** 5I01HX003569-02
- **Recipient organization:** JAMES J PETERS VA  MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Andrea K Finlay
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-06-01 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10871684

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10871684, Disruption of Health Services: The Impact of COVID-19 on Veterans with SCI/D (5I01HX003569-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10871684. Licensed CC0.

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