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.

Journal Article

Quality of Care in VA Health System Compares Well to Other Health Settings

Jul 18, 2016

The Veterans Affairs health care system generally performs better than or similar to other health care systems on providing safe and effective care to patients, with some exceptions.
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

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
Report

Promising Approaches to Army Institutional Change

The U.S. Army is facing many challenges. These include behavioral health issues, misconduct, and adjustment to changing demographics. Long-term solutions will require changes in Army culture and climate. Such changes are difficult, but promising strategies do exist.

Dec 5, 2017
Journal Article

Journal Article

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Services in the Military Health System

Complementary and alternative medicine services are offered in the majority of military treatment facilities to address service members' pain and mental health needs.

Oct 31, 2017
Research Brief

Research Brief

U.S. Military Non-Medical Counseling Programs Demonstrate Benefits for Participants

RAND's evaluation of Military and Family Life Counseling and Military OneSource, based on participant surveys, suggests that these programs are largely effective for service members and families who have used these services.

Oct 23, 2017
Report

Report

An Evaluation of U.S. Military Non-Medical Counseling Programs

This report evaluates two programs offered by the U.S. Department of Defense 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.

Oct 23, 2017
Research Brief

The Changing Landscape for Veterans' Mental Health Care

The changing landscape of veterans' mental health care poses challenges for the Welcome Back Veterans (WBV) initiative. Examining these challenges may help WBV ensure continued success and sustainability.

Oct 9, 2017
Research Brief

A New Way Forward in Veterans' Mental Health Care: How "Welcome Back Veterans" Is Making a Difference

This brief provides an overview of the Welcome Back Veterans (WBV) initiative, which provides grants to programs focused on addressing the mental health needs of service members, veterans, and their families.

Oct 9, 2017
Report

Bridging Gaps in Veterans' Mental Health Care

The Welcome Back Veterans (WBV) Initiative aims to bridge gaps in mental health care for returning veterans and their families. Strategic planning will help ensure WBV's continued effectiveness.

Oct 9, 2017
Report

Are Soldiers Getting What They Need?

In addition to typical household issues, U.S. military families deal with unique challenges, such as deployments and frequent moves. A survey of more than 7,000 active-duty soldiers provides insight into the problems they face, their needs, and the resources they use.

Oct 9, 2017
Report

Report

The Impact of Health Reform on Purchased Care Access: National Health Reform and Modernization of the Military Health System Study

Newly insured patients through the Affordable Care Act coverage expansion may change how civilian providers interact with the TRICARE program. Some physicians may face financial incentives to drop TRICARE patients for newly insured patients.

Sep 27, 2017
Commentary

The Lack of Clarity Over Medical Support for Light Footprint Operations and How It Could Be Solved

Early identification and planning for medical support for EU-led military operations are vital to saving lives, treating injuries and keeping personnel healthy. Common standards would ensure high-quality and consistent medical support regardless of which country is providing it.

Sep 19, 2017
Infographic

Military Mental Health Care: Provider Perspectives on Treating PTSD and Depression

This infographic describes data on various aspects of the Military Health System capacity to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.

Aug 14, 2017
Report

Report

Delivering Clinical Practice Guideline–Concordant Care for PTSD and Major Depression in Military Treatment Facilities

This report describes the psychological health workforce at military treatment facilities, examines the extent to which care is consistent with clinical practice guidelines, and identifies facilitators and barriers to providing this care.

Aug 14, 2017
News Release

News Release

More Than 80% of Military Health Facilities Now Offer Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatments

More than 80 percent of military health care facilities offer some form of complementary and alternative medicine—in addition to conventional medicine— mainly for pain management and psychological disorders.

Aug 9, 2017

RAND Topic:
Military Health and Health Care

Military Health and Health Care

Featured

Quality of Care in VA Health System Compares Well to Other Health Settings

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

Explore Military Health and Health Care

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

Promising Approaches to Army Institutional Change

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Services in the Military Health System

U.S. Military Non-Medical Counseling Programs Demonstrate Benefits for Participants

An Evaluation of U.S. Military Non-Medical Counseling Programs

The Changing Landscape for Veterans' Mental Health Care

A New Way Forward in Veterans' Mental Health Care: How "Welcome Back Veterans" Is Making a Difference

Bridging Gaps in Veterans' Mental Health Care

Are Soldiers Getting What They Need?

The Impact of Health Reform on Purchased Care Access: National Health Reform and Modernization of the Military Health System Study

The Lack of Clarity Over Medical Support for Light Footprint Operations and How It Could Be Solved

Military Mental Health Care: Provider Perspectives on Treating PTSD and Depression

Delivering Clinical Practice Guideline–Concordant Care for PTSD and Major Depression in Military Treatment Facilities

More Than 80% of Military Health Facilities Now Offer Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatments

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