Disability Reporting Among U.S. Immigrant Veterans: Findings and Implications

Background: This preliminary study offers the first health-related assessment of United States (US) immigrant veterans, who comprise a population of more than 500 000. It builds upon research showing that a number of variables relate to veterans’ health experiences, including race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Purpose: To assess levels of disability reporting among foreign-born veterans in comparison with other populations. Materials and Methods: We analysed 2011–2015 data from the United States Census Bureau 5-Percent Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) to compare disability reporting among foreign-born veterans, native-born veterans, foreign-born non-veterans and native-born non-veterans. Results: Middle-aged foreign-born veterans were less likely to report a disability than native-born veterans and native-born non-veterans, but more likely to report than fellow non-veteran immigrants. When hearing disability—which has been shown to disproportionately impact veterans—was examined independently, foreign-born veterans reported at lower rates than native-born veterans, and at higher rates than native-born and non-veterans immigrants. Native-born veterans consistently reported disabilities at the highest rates. Conclusion: Foreign-born veterans are distinct from both other veterans and other immigrants in respect to their levels of reported disability. These results could inform research and practice in the US, as well as other countries with diverse and/or foreign-born veteran populations.