VHA LGBTQ+ Health Program
Research Opportunities for LGBTQ+ Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) supports research to improve the delivery of health care to Veterans. VA is one of the nation's leaders in health research and has contributed to many important advances in health care.
Some studies use existing information, numbers, and other data, while others require volunteer participants. Some of that research directly examines the delivery of health care to LGBTQ+ Veterans.
Learn about specific opportunities for LGBTQ+ Veterans to participate in VA research.
FIND STUDIES TO JOIN
Current Projects:
NAME OF PROJECT: Understanding Transgender and Gender Diverse Veterans’ Experiences, Needs, and Preferences (COMIRB #23-0883; PI: Griffith) (pdf)
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About the Project: The research study seeks to understand the research references and health experiences of transgender and gender diverse Veterans. Participation will involve a completely anonymous, web-based survey. Participation is expected to take approximately 20 minutes. You may be eligible to participate if you are transgender or gender diverse and have served in the U.S. military. To participate, please visit the following link: https://vhaordfedramp.gov1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV-a4ZikhRnuo7AGCW
Please see the study’s website for additional information: https://www.mirecc.va.gov/visn19/research/transgender-gender-diverse-veterans/
NAME OF PROJECT: Transgender and Gender Diverse Veterans Needed for Research Study – April 2024 (pdf)
Name of project: All of Us Research Program at the VA
Learn more at: All of Us Research Program Newsletter page
What is the purpose of this study? The goal of All of Us is to help researchers understand more about why people get sick or stay healthy. At the moment, health care is often one-size-fits-all. But imagine a future where your health care is tailored to you. We want to make that future possible. How? With your help, the program is building a rich research database representative of the diversity of the United States to enable thousands of new studies on health and disease, which may help fuel discoveries for a wide variety of health conditions. Many groups have been left out of health research in the past – we want to change that by ensuring that all Veterans are represented in this historic effort.
Who is conducting the study? This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded program of which the Department of Veterans Affairs is a key partner.
Participants needed: U.S. Veterans are welcome and encouraged to join, even if you are not enrolled in VA care. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and currently live in the U.S.
What does participating involve? Participation involves creating an account, completing several consents and health surveys online, sharing electronic health records (EHR) and physical measurements, and donating bio samples (i.e., blood, urine, and/or saliva). All of Us is a longitudinal program intended to last for 10 or more years, so participants may also be contacted from time to time to complete additional surveys. One side benefit of participation is that you can get your DNA results returned back to you over time, which might include learning about your genetic ancestry, genetic traits, whether you might have an increased risk of developing a serious health condition, and how your body might react to certain medicines.
Want more information? Please call our National VA All of Us Information Center at (833) 805-0426 or visit Veterans.JoinAllofUs.org*.
Location: Online & In-Person
Click here to learn more or enroll* (Veterans.JoinAllofUs.org)
Completed Research:
Name of project: Gender-Affirming Care Evaluation (GRACE)
What was the purpose of this study? We wanted to learn more about Veterans’ experiences with gender-affirming care, including past surgeries and interest in future gender-affirming surgeries. VA wants to know how to best serve transgender and gender diverse (TGD) Veterans.
Who conducted the study? The GRACE study was led by a team that included both VA researchers and TGD Veterans working with the VA LGBTQ+ Health program.
Want to learn more about those who participated and some key findings? 
Read the Fall 2023 newsletter.(PDF)
LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator (VCC) Services
There is an LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator (LGBTQ+ VCC) at every facility to help you get the care you need. VHA policies require that your health care is delivered in an affirming and inclusive environment and that VHA employees respect your identity.
Reach out to your local facility’s LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator today: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/VAFacilities.asp
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