Military Health and Health Care

Featured

As a large employer 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 health care for everything from general health and well-being to specialized clinical care for deployment related injuries such as amputations, chemically induced illnesses, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Combining its expertise in health and defense policy, RAND examines policy issues surrounding military medical care needs and the systems intended to meet them.

Project

Survey Measures Health and Well-Being of U.S. Service Members

Jun 21, 2018

The DoD's Health Related Behaviors Survey asks questions about health-related issues that can affect force readiness or the ability to meet the demands of military life. It's been fielded for more than 30 years. About 17,000 service members participated in the latest survey.
Report

What Is the Quality of Mental Health Care in the Military?

Aug 7, 2017

The care provided by the Military Health System (MHS) is critical to maintaining a physically and psychologically healthy, mission-ready force. When it comes to PTSD and depression, the MHS demonstrates excellent care in some areas but could improve in others.

Explore Military Health and Health Care

Report

Report

The Neurological Effects of Repeated Exposure to Military Occupational Blast: Implications for Prevention and Health: Proceedings, Findings, and Expert Recommendations from the Seventh Department of Defense State-of-the-Science Meeting

The Seventh Department of Defense State-of-the-Science Meeting examined the risk posed to military personnel by low-level blast exposure, the current evidence base, and potentially promising approaches to prevent and detect blast injuries.

Mar 13, 2019
Report

Report

The Relationship Between Disability Evaluation and Accession Medical Standards

If accession medical policies are changed, does the probability of medical discharge change? If so, how does the change in the probability of medical discharge alter postservice costs to the department? This report answers these questions.

Mar 11, 2019
Report

Report

Measuring Barriers to Mental Health Care in the Military: The RAND Barriers and Facilitators to Care Item Banks

This report summarizes the findings of a study to construct item banks of barriers and facilitators to mental health care for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Dec 11, 2018
Research Brief

Research Brief

Preliminary Feasibility Assessment of DoD-VA Purchased Care Integration

An integrated approach to purchasing health care for U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs could have important implications for access, quality, and costs but could face legislative, policy, or contractual challenges.

Nov 26, 2018
Report

Integrating Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs Purchased Care: Preliminary Feasibility Assessment

An integrated approach to purchasing health care for U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs could have important implications for access, quality, and costs but could face legislative, policy, or contractual challenges.

Nov 26, 2018
Multimedia

The Vital Support of Post-9/11 Military Caregivers

In this episode of Veterans in America, we talk about the military caregivers that inspired RAND's landmark study of America's "hidden heroes."

Nov 12, 2018
Report

Report

Effects of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Use Disorder on Functional Outcomes: A Systematic Review

This systematic review synthesizes evidence on the effects of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder on functional outcomes, including cognitive, physical, occupational, social/behavioral, and neurological function.

Oct 30, 2018
Multimedia

Veterans in America Podcast

Veterans in America is a special limited-series podcast that journeys into the lives of veterans and their loved ones, and shares insights from RAND research on how to improve their lives.

Oct 29, 2018
Report

How to Protect the Joint Blood Supply Chain

Ensuring that blood remains available and safe for the Joint military community requires sophisticated logistical support and a dependable supply chain. Some future operating environments could present challenges to the blood supply chain. What can be done to make it more resilient?

Sep 24, 2018
Commentary

Lives on the Line: The A2AD Challenge to Combat Casualty Care

Countries such as Russia and China continue to develop and expand the ability to integrate long-range strike, anti-ship, anti-air, space and cyber abilities. Provision of medical support could be a worthy priority for NATO planners when considering deterrence of and defense against near-peer or peer adversaries.

Jul 31, 2018
Report

Army Soldier and Family Needs Vary Across Bases

The Army has many programs to help soldiers and their families cope with military life. But do these programs address their most pressing needs? An analysis of survey data, interviews, and focus groups from 13 garrisons provides local-level insight into soldier and family issues and needs, as well as the resources they use.

Jul 24, 2018
Report

Report

Needs of Male Sexual Assault Victims in the U.S. Armed Forces

This report reviews research on sexual assault against men and describes interviews with military service providers and civilian experts. It concludes with recommendations for improving support to male sexual assault victims in the U.S. military.

May 1, 2018
Report

Report

Charting Progress: U.S. Military Non-Medical Counseling Programs

This chartbook summarizes findings from an evaluation of two programs offered by the DoD that provide solution-focused counseling for common personal and family issues to members of the active and reserve components of the U.S. military and their families.

Apr 27, 2018
Commentary

Comparing Suicide Rates: Making an Apples to Apples Comparison

As the national suicide rate continues to rise, many stakeholders are looking within their own communities and asking, “Do we have a suicide problem?” This is a difficult question to answer.

Apr 2, 2018
News Release

News Release

Few Civilian Health Providers in New York Ready to Provide Timely, Quality Care to Veterans

Only about 2 percent of the physicians and other health care providers in New York State are equipped to provide timely and quality care to veterans in the community.

Mar 1, 2018
Research Brief

Are Private Health Care Providers Ready to Treat Veterans? Evidence from New York State

This brief highlights key findings of a RAND survey of providers in New York State regarding the preparedness of community providers (i.e., not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs) to treat veterans.

Mar 1, 2018
Report

Are New York Health Providers Ready to Meet Veterans' Needs?

Few civilian health providers in New York are ready to provide timely, quality care to veterans. More than 90 percent of providers were accepting new patients. But only about 2 percent met all criteria for effectively serving veterans.

Mar 1, 2018
Testimony

Supporting Military and Veteran Caregivers from All Eras

Research suggests ways to improve federal programs that support military and veteran caregivers. Notably, programs should be tailored to the needs of different populations, such as pre-9/11 and post-9/11 caregivers.

Feb 6, 2018
Journal Article

Journal Article

Alcohol Use Among Concerned Partners of Heavy Drinking Service Members and Veterans

An intervention to improve mental health and communication among military spouses worried about their partners' drinking reduced depression more effectively for spouses who also drank heavily.

Jan 30, 2018
Infographic

Helping Military Families: A Look at Non-Medical Counseling Programs in the U.S. Military

A recent evaluation of the military's non-medical counseling programs suggests that they help military personnel and their families. Participants gave the programs favorable ratings, and most reported improvement over a three-month period.

Jan 16, 2018

RAND Topic:
Military Health and Health Care

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The Policy Currents Podcast

Measuring Wellbeing to Help Communities Thrive

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Improving Access to Early Childhood Education

Addressing the Invisible Wounds of War

Military Health and Health Care

Featured

Survey Measures Health and Well-Being of U.S. Service Members

What Is the Quality of Mental Health Care in the Military?

Explore Military Health and Health Care

The Neurological Effects of Repeated Exposure to Military Occupational Blast: Implications for Prevention and Health: Proceedings, Findings, and Expert Recommendations from the Seventh Department of Defense State-of-the-Science Meeting

The Relationship Between Disability Evaluation and Accession Medical Standards

Measuring Barriers to Mental Health Care in the Military: The RAND Barriers and Facilitators to Care Item Banks

Preliminary Feasibility Assessment of DoD-VA Purchased Care Integration

Integrating Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs Purchased Care: Preliminary Feasibility Assessment

The Vital Support of Post-9/11 Military Caregivers

Effects of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Use Disorder on Functional Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Veterans in America Podcast

How to Protect the Joint Blood Supply Chain

Lives on the Line: The A2AD Challenge to Combat Casualty Care

Army Soldier and Family Needs Vary Across Bases

Needs of Male Sexual Assault Victims in the U.S. Armed Forces

Charting Progress: U.S. Military Non-Medical Counseling Programs

Comparing Suicide Rates: Making an Apples to Apples Comparison

Few Civilian Health Providers in New York Ready to Provide Timely, Quality Care to Veterans

Are Private Health Care Providers Ready to Treat Veterans? Evidence from New York State

Are New York Health Providers Ready to Meet Veterans' Needs?

Supporting Military and Veteran Caregivers from All Eras

Alcohol Use Among Concerned Partners of Heavy Drinking Service Members and Veterans

Helping Military Families: A Look at Non-Medical Counseling Programs in the U.S. Military

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