Waiting to Be Seen Geographic Barriers to Accessing Veteran Health Care By: Rachael L. Cushman

Introduction Background Data Study Area Analysis Results Conclusions

To Care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan. ~ Abraham Lincoln

* Veterans serving on active duty between August 2, 1990 and present are considered Gulf War Era Veterans Veterans by Conflict

Current Problems Extensive waiting period for appointments Distance to facilities Specialists not available

Veteran’s Choice Program Waiting period in excess of 30 days Live more than 40 miles from a facility Excessive traffic Excessive travel time Have an excessive travel burden Geographic challenges Medical condition

Data US Census Bureau California Department of Transportation NAVTEQ Maps via Business analyst U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs

Study Area Selection 2 Million Veterans 840,000 Enrolled 60,000 Civilian 1,000,000 Patients 125,000 PPH 38 Million Residents 437 Hospitals 87,000 PPH

Population Density

Los Angeles 32% California’s Population Population total: 13,594,264 Veteran Pop Estimate: 597,972

Location Name Time (min) Miles Delay (min) Total Time (min) House-refuge Church- God In Christ Top Furniture E Waldo Ward & Son Marmalades Malibu Beach House Calvary Tax Svc

Location Name Total Miles Total Time (min) Alternate Hospital Total Miles Total Time (min) House-refuge Church God In Christ Los Ángeles Metropolitan Medical Center Top Furniture Providence Tarazna Medical Center E Waldo Ward & Son Marmalades Aurora Las Encinas Hospital Malibu Beach House Thousand Oaks Surgical Hospital Calvary Tax Svc Foothills Presbyterian

Conclusions Bottlenecks may cause an excessive travel burden Recommend further research Traffic should be taken into consideration Don’t move to L.A.

Questions?