Task Force on Veterans’ Health

North Carolina is home to the 8th largest number of military Veterans in the U.S. with approximately 619,000 Veterans living in our state, around 8% of our population. As individuals transition from active duty to Veteran status, and as they age, they can face challenges in navigating health care benefits, as well as in receiving care that is well-coordinated between the civilian health sector and the Veterans Affairs health system. In addition, many Veterans have ongoing behavioral health care and substance use treatment needs and may need assistance with other drivers of health such as housing and employment.

The passage of the PACT Act in 2022 brought an increase in the number of Veterans who are eligible for care. This increase, along with previously existing challenges and changes being discussed at the federal level related to VA funding, brings an urgency to identify actionable strategies for improving access to care, care coordination, and developing the right workforce to meet Veterans’ health care needs across their lifespans.

The North Carolina Institute of Medicine is convening a task force beginning in Summer 2025 aimed at improving the provision and navigation of care, developing the health workforce, and addressing the behavioral health care needs of Veterans.

Immigrant Mental Health

El Futuro - a community-based nonprofit organization that seeks to transform Latino-serving mental health care in North Carolina and beyond - has a desire to develop a network of organizations and individuals passionate about and/or providing immigrant mental health and well-being services, regardless of ethnicity or nationality. El Futuro collaborated with the North Carolina Institute of Medicine (NCIOM) to learn more together about immigrant mental health services in North Carolina. Through this partnership El Futuro and the NCIOM have explored the strengths and challenges of various immigrant groups in the state and potential opportunities to address policy issues impacting immigrant access to adequate services and supports for their mental well-being. 

This work was supported by grants from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation and the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust.