Veteran participation in the All of Us Research Program: applying an intersectionality lens to evaluate participant diversity.

BACKGROUND

Many segments of the population are underrepresented in biomedical research (UBR). Lack of diversity in health research limits understanding of individual and population level differences and risks the generalizability of study results. Examining intersectionality among VA-enrolled Veteran participants in the All of Us Research Program offers a first look at in-depth understanding of Veteran identity.

METHODS

Multi-modal approaches to engagement and recruitment were utilized to enroll a diverse cohort of Veterans nationally from 2018 to 2024. All of Us data were analyzed across eight UBR categories and their intersections to highlight the complexity of Veteran identity.

RESULTS

Veteran All of Us participants reflect the diversity of Veterans nationwide. All of Us participant metrics shed new light on the diversity of the Veteran population, with over 75 unique UBR combinations identified among participants, and over 90% of participants meeting the criteria for at least one UBR category.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of a broad spectrum of engagement approaches was shown to be successful for reaching a more diverse Veteran base, and complex intersectional identities among Veterans are described. Greater understanding of intersectionality and its significance to representation can bolster the adaptation of Veteran engagement methodology in research and broader healthcare settings.