As the largest health care provider in the United States, the Department of Defense faces significant challenges ensuring that all members of the military, as well as their families, receive appropriate care for everything from general health and well-being to amputations, chemically induced illnesses, and post-traumatic stress. Combining its expertise in health and defense policy, RAND examines policy issues surrounding military medical care needs and the systems intended to meet them.
Research Brief
Describes options for Department of Defense policy that would help the reserve components of the U.S. military achieve higher levels of individual medical readiness, including dental readiness.
Periodical
Ten RAND authors highlight seven ways in which the United States can help to ensure that veterans and their families receive health care, employment and education opportunities, and other benefits.
Report
The authors propose a planning concept for U.S. military expeditionary medical care that promotes patient flow rate as the common unit of measurement for treatment and evacuation functions.
Report
Provides options for Department of Defense policy that would help the reserve components of the U.S. military achieve higher levels of individual medical readiness.
Report
Describes the full range of research products and services that RAND Arroyo Center provided to the Army leadership in FY 2011, including projects, quick-response studies, peer-reviewed publications, and the analytic training of Army officers.
Report
Presents the results of an assessment of the Real Warriors Campaign, a multimedia program designed to promote resilience, facilitate recovery, and support the reintegration of returning servicemembers, veterans, and their families.
Research Brief
With regard to Army families, the study examines the effects of long and frequent parental deployments on children’s academic performance as well as their emotional and behavioral well-being in the school setting.
Blog
April is the Month of the Military Child, a national initiative to support and honor America's service members and their families. The celebration is being recognized with events around the country, and is a key national initiative of First Lady Michelle Obama.
Commentary
Never before in our nation's history have our service members and their families been so challenged and never before have their struggles (and successes) been the topic of so much scholarly attention, writes Sarah O. Meadows.
Journal Article
Quality of prescribing for older vets -- measured by high-risk medications and drug--disease interactions -- varies across VA facilities. Prescribing is better at facilities that care for a larger number of older veterans and have formal geriatric education.
Journal Article
Efforts to maintain and/or increase OEF/OIF veteran participation in VA MH/SUD services should be informed by their characteristics, such as younger age and better physical health relative to other veterans.
Commentary
Delivery of evidence-based care to all veterans with PTSD or depression would pay for itself—or even save money—within two years by improving productivity and reducing medical and mortality costs, writes Terri Tanielian.
Report
Testimony presented before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Health on December 2, 2011.
Past Event
In this December 2011 Congressional Briefing, Katherine Watkins discusses highlights and recommendations from her study on the VA's capacity to deliver care to veterans with mental health and substance use disorders and the quality of the care that is delivered.
Multimedia
In this December 2011 Congressional Briefing, Katherine Watkins discusses the VA's capacity to deliver care to veterans with mental health and substance use disorders and the quality of the care that is delivered. This congressionally mandated study is the first comprehensive look at the full spectrum of clinical services provided to veterans with mental health issues.
Research Brief
Describes a new equipping strategy for the Army's Combat Support Hospitals.
Report
A survey tool based on a new methodological framework can be used by the Department of Defense and local military commanders to gauge the problems and problem-related needs of service members and their families, how well those needs are being met, and the barriers and bridges to accessing services.
Research Brief
Describes a new survey design framework that is centered on what service members and their families believe are their greatest needs.
Past Event
Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan face many challenges, particularly when it comes to health care. A RAND policy forum focuses on recent research into this new generation of combat veterans, including their experience with depression, PTSD, and substance misuse, as well as challenges they face in their physical health, their access to services, and their post-military careers.
Multimedia
At this November 2011 Policy Forum, Jonathan Schleifer, policy director for Iraq Afghanistan Veterans of America, joined RAND's Terry Schell for a discussion about the challenges faced by and experiences of recent combat veterans.
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