Two groups of people who have been among the forgotten, invisible and medically underserved are veterans, especially women veterans, and the elderly. During times when there is a downward trend in the state of the economy and no immediate changes in the provision of health care services for underserved individuals, it is most likely that the rate and incidence of depression will increase. In addition, depression has been linked to sudden cardiac death. In comparing the health characteristics of elderly women and women veterans, similarities can be found in the two groups.

Descriptive factors which may be ascribed to elderly women can also be found among female veterans. Those factors include being female, single, living alone, weak or no support system, limited income, poor nutritional status, barriers to health care and underinsured. Read more here…