Traumatic Brain Injury

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Setting Standards for Delivering High-Quality Care to Veterans with Invisible Wounds

Posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, traumatic brain injury, and substance use disorders are common among post-9/11 veterans and can interfere with their employment, family life, engagement with their communities, and overall well-being. A shared definition and standards for high-quality care can help organizations better support veterans.

Natalie Ernecoff, Carrie M. Farmer @carriefarmer, et al.

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A Peacekeeping Operation in Ukraine, Synthetic Opioids, Geoengineering: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on why it may be time to consider a peacekeeping operation in northern Ukraine, supporting veterans with traumatic brain injury, a new response to synthetic opioids, and more.

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Supporting America's Veterans: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on helping veterans experiencing homelessness, better care for veterans with brain injuries and PTSD, and easing transitions to the civilian workforce.

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Advances in Care for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injuries or PTSD

A new standard of care proposed by RAND researchers aims to redefine high-quality care for veterans with a traumatic brain injury or posttraumatic stress disorder. But it also could serve as a template for making health care more effective, more consistent, and more responsive for more patients.

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All Veterans with Invisible Wounds Should Receive High-Quality Care That Meets These Standards

Millions of post-9/11 U.S. military veterans experience life-changing invisible wounds, including posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic issues resulting from traumatic brain injuries. While effective treatments are available, many veterans lack access to high-quality care. And what high-quality care means, exactly, has been elusive.

Carrie M. Farmer @carriefarmer, Lu Dong @LuDongPhD, et al.

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Invisible Wounds: Closing the Gaps to More Effectively Address These Injuries

Too few of the veterans who experience mental health issues get the help they need. Even fewer get the right care. Closing these gaps will require raising awareness about the barriers to care, and changing how the mental health care system is organized and delivers services.

Terri Tanielian

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Book Review: 'Women at War'

Today, women represent approximately 15 percent of the U.S. military but research on their specific physical and psychological health issues has remained relatively sparse. A new book, Women at War, attempts to change that.

Kayla M. Williams @KWilliams101

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Veterans Battle Mental Health Issues After Iraq and Afghanistan

Researchers have made great progress capturing the consequences of coping with injuries sustained in the theater of war, but the emerging picture is shadowed in grays. A series of recent findings presents a bleak portrait of the cost of modern war to service members, their families, and their health care providers.

Terri Tanielian, Rajeev Ramchand @RRamchand

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Traumatic Brain Injury Isn't Just an NFL Problem

Chris Borland retired early out of concern for his long-term mental and emotional health as a result of football's well-documented link to traumatic brain injury. Hopefully, his bold move will lead to better prevention and treatment of brain trauma in football, but it is also an issue for young athletes, military veterans, and others.

Terri Tanielian

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From Combat to Caregiving: Q&A with Kayla Williams

Kayla Williams talks about being a female soldier and the spouse of a wounded warrior, why veterans aren't broken and caregivers aren't saints, and more.

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Ask Me Anything: Rajeev Ramchand on Military Caregivers

With military caregivers quickly becoming a topic of national discussion, RAND's Rajeev Ramchand hosted an

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Finding a New Normal: A Military Caregiver's Perspective

The landscape for caregivers remains very difficult. Many still need additional training on how to best provide care for their loved ones, respite so they can care for themselves, and other forms of support.

Kayla M. Williams @KWilliams101

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Four Ways to Help Military Caregivers

As momentum continues to build, stakeholders across the board should keep in mind four broad recommendations for how to help military caregivers.

Rajeev Ramchand @RRamchand, Terri Tanielian

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A World Without America's Military Caregivers

A world without military caregivers would be a harsher one for all, particularly for those who have served. Military caregivers' sacrifices improve the lives of wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans, more of whom would suffer without them.

Rajeev Ramchand @RRamchand, Terri Tanielian

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Dear Military Spouses: I'm Sorry

Kayla Williams describes her difficult transition from soldier to spouse, sergeant to civilian, team leader to caregiver. Two books by military wives opened her eyes to the challenges and rewards of marrying into the military, and the unique kind of service military families experience.

Kayla M. Williams @KWilliams101

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Will America Forget Its Veterans?

The needs of U.S. veterans will not end when the war does; they will just be beginning. Though over a lifetime veterans are more highly educated, employed, and paid than their civilian counterparts, the period of reintegration can be challenging.

Kayla M. Williams @KWilliams101

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Out of the Shadows, Into the Light: Why Americans Should Care About the Health of Contractors Deploying to Conflict Environments

In contrast to the numerous mental health resources available to members of the U.S. military, very few (if any) resources are available to help private contractors struggling with mental health problems. It is in the best interest of all involved to ensure that contractors receive the support and treatment they need.

Molly Dunigan, Carrie M. Farmer @carriefarmer

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They Also Serve: Understanding the Needs of Military Caregivers

Military families play a critical role in supporting U.S. servicemembers during deployment and afterwards. Equally vital but often less visible is the role played by those who care for the servicemembers who return with disabling injuries or illnesses and require long-term support beyond what the formal health care system provides.

Rajeev Ramchand @RRamchand, Terri Tanielian