2023 Veterans’ well-being community health needs assessment: Understanding Canadian Veterans’ health and well-being

Abstract: Introduction: The 2023 Veterans’ Well-being Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) is a tool to support the health and well-being of Canadian Veterans. It can be used by Veterans and stakeholders to increase understanding of Veterans’ strengths and needs and prioritize action. The CHNA’s objectives were to highlight priorities for Canadian Veterans’ health and well-being, inform decision-makers, and support the allocation of resources. Using a mixedmethods approach, we combined evidence from existing Veteran research with new data we collected through Veteran and stakeholder engagement, and Veteran interviews and focus groups. The Veteran community: The Veteran community is inclusive of all Canadian Veterans, their families, and other stakeholders who have a role to play in health and well-being. For the purposes of the CHNA, the term ‘Veteran’ includes any person who served in the Canadian Armed Forces. Community strengths: Veterans’ strengths positively impact their health and well-being. Veterans draw on a range of strengths connected to their personal characteristics and military experiences (e.g., resilience, camaraderie, discipline, adaptability, resourcefulness, and selfawareness). Veterans empower and advocate for other Veterans and gain a sense of purpose and satisfaction from giving back to their peers and engaging in their communities. Many Veterans express a sense of ownership over their health and well-being. Community needs: Veterans’ health and well-being are holistic and interconnected. The needs and resources they use are contextual, complex, and influenced by their military service and intersecting identities. Their needs span individual, interpersonal, community, organizational, structural, and historical levels. Veterans need recognition and appreciation for their military service; access to trauma-informed and culturally relevant resources; and for military and Veteran organizations to acknowledge and be accountable for past and present harms. Conclusion: The CHNA, in partnership with Veterans, highlighted many strengths and priorities to address barriers and improve health equity. Veterans must be active participants in decisionmaking, policy development and research concerning their health and well-being. Listening to Veterans enables us to build trust, develop meaningful partnerships, and act at the community, provincial/territorial, and federal levels. To achieve this, collaboration with and among the entire Veteran community is essential.