Closing the gaps: Advancing research for women Veterans

Women Veterans are the fastest-growing segment of the Veteran population—but they remain underrepresented in clinical research and underserved in healthcare delivery. This imbalance limits the development of effective interventions and contributes to persistent gaps in access, outcomes, and trust. 

To help address these challenges, Guidehouse partnered with the National Association of Veterans’ Research and Education Foundations (NAVREF) to host the State of the Science: Women Veterans Research Summit in summer 2025. Held in Arlington, Virginia, the summit brought together leaders from the VA, federal agencies, academia, and industry to examine the current state of women Veteran research—and identify opportunities to improve representation, collaboration, and care. 

Keep reading to learn what attendees discussed.

Women Veterans face unique—and often overlooked—health challenges 

From reproductive and cardiovascular care to mental health and trauma recovery, women Veterans have distinct health needs that often differ from those of male Veterans. While research is growing, most studies remain observational, limiting the development of targeted interventions. Summit participants called for research protocols that reflect the lived experiences of women Veterans and support better access to tailored care. 

Structural barriers continue to limit access and engagement 

Operational and lifestyle challenges are major obstacles to care continuity. One in four women Veterans switched to non-VA providers due to limited clinic hours, according to a study. Childcare is another barrier—nearly half of women Veterans aged 18–44 who needed childcare canceled medical appointments in the past year. Sixty-five percent were unaware they qualified for the VA’s Beneficiary Travel program, which reimburses travel costs for medical visits. 

The Center for Women Veterans (CWV), established by Congress in 1994, plays a vital role in closing these gaps. Through education, outreach, and collaboration, CWV advocates for improved access to VA benefits and services—and encourages participation in research initiatives. 

VA programs are expanding the research ecosystem 

Speakers highlighted several VA initiatives that are reshaping the research landscape:

• Million Veteran Program (MVP): With over one million participants—9% of whom are women—MVP enables large-scale studies on conditions such as breast cancer, endometriosis, and heart disease. 
• Women’s Health Research Network (WHRN): Connects researchers with frontline VA clinics and includes women Veterans in study design and dissemination. 
• Breast and Gynecologic Oncology System of Excellence (BGSoE): Improves cancer care access and outcomes for women Veterans through tele-oncology and clinical trials. 

These programs reflect a growing commitment to center women Veterans’ experiences in the development of care models and research priorities. 

The VA’s infrastructure offers unique partnership potential 

With 1,380 healthcare facilities and the ability to practice across state lines, the VA is uniquely positioned to support decentralized clinical trials and reach underserved populations. Its longitudinal data and national reach make it an ideal partner for industry stakeholders seeking to expand research that serves all Veterans. NAVREF plays a key role in connecting private organizations with VA research opportunities and helping them navigate the system. 

Actionable opportunities for collaboration 

Following the summit, Guidehouse and its partners identified several opportunities to accelerate innovation and improve outcomes for women Veterans: 

• Integrate active-duty and Veteran EHR data to enable lifetime health insights and predictive modeling. 
• Use Veteran health trends—such as early onset of breast cancer—to inform screening protocols for active-duty service members. 
• Study accelerated disease progression, using breast cancer as a sentinel condition to uncover service-related risk factors. 
• Promote interagency collaboration to share resources, data, and best practices—maximizing the impact of research investments.  

As the research community continues to evolve, women Veterans must be at the center of the conversation. Their voices, experiences, and health outcomes are essential to building a system of care that works for all.