Abstract
BACKGROUND: In 2011, about 1.8 million or 8 percent of the 22.2 million veterans were women in the US. The unemployment rate for female veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan rose to 13.5%, above the 8.4% for non-veteran adult women.
OBJECTIVE: To examine data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), from 2004–2011 to determine the relationship between employment and veteran status, disability and gender.
METHODS: Chi square analysis was used to determine if significant differences existed between the employment rate of female veterans with disabilities and female veterans without disabilities, female non-veterans with disabilities and male veterans with disabilities. Binomial logistic regression analysis was used to determine how veteran status, disability and gender affected the likelihood of not being employed.
RESULTS: Significant differences were found in employment rate between female veterans with disabilities and female veterans without disabilities, but not when compared to female non-veterans with disabilities or male veterans with disabilities. Disability was the strongest factor increasing the likelihood of not being employed, though veteran status and female gender were also predictive.
CONCLUSIONS: Female veterans with disabilities experience low levels of employment. Policies and programs are needed to address the unique needs of these veterans.
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