Health Disparities Associated with Alcohol Use Disorder In Rural Veterans
Start Date
April 2026
Location
2nd floor - Library
Abstract
According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (2025), 140,557 Americans die each year from alcohol use disorder (AUD). About 10% of Americans over age 12 and 9% of veterans experience AUD, according to RAND (2025). Rural veterans are at greater risk and are more likely to face barriers to care than both their non-veteran and urban counterparts (Edmunds et al., 2021). This poster presentation will provide background information about AUD and detailed information about social determinants of health (SDOH) that increase rural veterans’ risk of AUD and reduce treatment access. Reversible SDOH related to AUD that rural veterans experience must be addressed. Solutions designed to alleviate disparities that rural veterans face will be outlined. Implementation of these solutions will create an improved and more equitable system of healthcare for rural veterans.
Health Disparities Associated with Alcohol Use Disorder In Rural Veterans
2nd floor - Library
According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (2025), 140,557 Americans die each year from alcohol use disorder (AUD). About 10% of Americans over age 12 and 9% of veterans experience AUD, according to RAND (2025). Rural veterans are at greater risk and are more likely to face barriers to care than both their non-veteran and urban counterparts (Edmunds et al., 2021). This poster presentation will provide background information about AUD and detailed information about social determinants of health (SDOH) that increase rural veterans’ risk of AUD and reduce treatment access. Reversible SDOH related to AUD that rural veterans experience must be addressed. Solutions designed to alleviate disparities that rural veterans face will be outlined. Implementation of these solutions will create an improved and more equitable system of healthcare for rural veterans.
