Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command continues to monitor the findings of Veterans Affairs Canada’s most recent Community Health Needs Assessment report. Its goal was to develop an inclusive, holistic vision of the health and well-being of Canadian veterans, with the purpose of providing them, health researchers, decision makers and service partners with comprehensive and accessible community wellness data.

Various sources were involved in collecting and analyzing the information. The results will help guide future policy, research and resource allocation, while reducing barriers and increasing health equity.

Collaboration with, and among, the veteran community is essential to developing trust and meaningful partnerships among veterans, advocacy groups and all levels of government. The report identified how veterans can use their unique qualities and military experiences (e.g., resilience, discipline and resourcefulness, etc.) for their well-being.

While 23 priorities were identified, Dominion Command considers the following four items key to real and meaningful change:

•reducing reliance on primary care providers for VAC application processes and health-care access;

•streamlining VAC bureaucracy, improving trust and accountability and strengthening co-ordination between health-care systems;

•improving access to health-care providers with military cultural competency and trauma informed approaches to care;

•and increasing financial support for veterans and their families and caregivers.

For assistance with accessing VAC benefits, please contact RCL’s veterans services at veteransservice@legion.ca or
toll-free at 1-877-534-4666.