Predicting firearm suicide risk in veterans who use non-VA healthcare
Predicting firearm suicide in military veterans outside the VA health system using linked civilian electronic health record data
This project uses civilian medical records to build tools that can spot which veterans getting care outside the VA might be at risk of suicide involving firearms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11326188 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will combine and analyze a very large set of linked civilian electronic health records for U.S. military veterans who do not use VA care. They will develop and refine longitudinal algorithms that look for patterns in diagnoses, treatments, and health care visits that signal higher risk of suicide and firearm-specific suicide. The team will compare risk factors and care patterns for veterans seen in non-VA settings to what is already known from VA-focused work. Findings will be used to help target prevention efforts and outreach to veterans who otherwise may be missed.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: U.S. military veterans who receive health care in civilian (non-VA) hospitals or clinics and whose medical records are included in the linked electronic health record databases are the focus of this work.
Not a fit: Veterans who only receive care within the VA system, lack linked civilian records, or are under 21 would not be part of this analysis and would not directly benefit from its findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify veterans at high risk for suicide earlier and guide outreach or safety planning to prevent firearm deaths.
How similar studies have performed: Previous efforts have produced suicide risk models within the VA and general populations with some success, but predicting firearm suicide among veterans treated outside the VA is a newer and less-tested application.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Swanson, Jeffrey W — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Swanson, Jeffrey W
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.