Letter from the Editor

This issue of RAND Health Quarterly includes two articles on those providing unpaid care for military service members and veterans. A team led by Rajeev Ramchand estimated the number of adults caregiving in the United States today; investigated how those caring for wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans compare with those caring for civilians and with non-caregivers; and provides insights on the potential consequences of caregiving on caregivers' health, their economic security, and their families' well-being. A related article presents findings from the qualitative arm of the research project, sharing insights from interviews with U.S. military and veteran caregivers.

Robert Bozick and Roland Neil present findings from two nationally representative surveys of health and well-being that include samples of veterans and their civilian peers. With these data, the authors compared respiratory health outcomes observed for these two populations who were of prime age for military service during different periods of national conflict: the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Shield/Storm, and the Global War on Terror.

Lisa S. Meredith, Ph.D., Editor