# QUERI-Office of Health Equity (OHE) Partnered Evaluation Center

> **NIH VA I50** · VA GREATER LOS ANGELES HEALTHCARE SYSTEM · 2021 · —

## Abstract

Background/Rationale: Health disparities are differences in health outcomes and their determinants between
segments of the population, as defined by social, demographic, environmental, and geographic attributes.
Health disparities have persisted over time in the U.S. for a wide range of conditions affecting vulnerable
populations. In the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), where financial barriers to receiving care are
minimized, disparities are diminished, but still present for many important health outcomes. Vulnerable
populations within VHA include those who are at risk for poor physical, psychological, or social health because
of differences in underlying characteristics historically linked to discrimination or exclusion. Though a wide
range of studies have examined disparities and gaps in care for selected conditions and vulnerable
populations, there has not been a systematic evaluation of diagnosed conditions, mortality, or quality across
the entire VHA healthcare user population, and therefore the extent of VHA health and quality gaps for
vulnerable Veteran populations is unknown.
Objectives: The QUERI-Office of Health Equity Partnered Evaluation Center has four specific aims. It seeks:
(1) to assess where disparities currently exist between vulnerable Veteran VHA User groups and reference
groups in morbidity and mortality for major conditions that are considered the principal causes of disability and
mortality, particularly among vulnerable Veteran populations; (2) to examine gaps and trends in quality of care
across treatment settings among vulnerable Veteran populations; (3) to determine the extent to which new
models of care alter the association between vulnerable population status and gaps in quality of care; and (4)
in partnership with VHA Office of Health Equity, to convene an Advisory Board to examine the context for and
identify next steps needed to reduce disparities identified, for the purpose of informing development of action
plans to reduce health disparities in VHA.
Methods: We are utilizing a population health approach to examine the distribution of diagnosed health
conditions, mortality, and healthcare quality across the entire Veteran VHA user population, as defined by their
membership or not in vulnerable population groups. These vulnerable groups are defined by: race/ethnicity,
sex, socioeconomic status, rurality of residence, service-connected disability status, serious mental illness, and
age group. We will use secondary data analysis of VHA administrative data sources that builds on an existing
database containing a complete multi-year cohort of VHA patients.
Anticipated Impact: In recognition of the potential for policies and interventions to improve health outcomes
for vulnerable populations, this Partnered Evaluation Center incorporates activities designed to use findings to
support evidence-based practice and policy to reduce health disparities in VHA. This evaluation will identify
high priority VHA health out...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9014369
- **Project number:** 1I50HX001953-01
- **Recipient organization:** VA GREATER LOS ANGELES HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** DONNA WASHINGTON
- **Activity code:** I50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2015-10-01 → 2025-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9014369

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9014369, QUERI-Office of Health Equity (OHE) Partnered Evaluation Center (1I50HX001953-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9014369. Licensed CC0.

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