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

Limb Salvage and Recovery After Severe Blast Injury: Eighth Department of Defense International State-of-the-Science Meeting on Blast Injury Research

Advances in medicine, protective equipment, and surgical reconstruction have led to questions about when to emphasize limb salvage over amputation for individuals with severe blast injuries. The authors summarize recent research on the topic.

Jul 6, 2020
Report

Report

Limb Salvage and Recovery After Blast-Related Injury: Proceedings and Expert Findings from a U.S. Department of Defense International State-of-the-Science Meeting

These conference proceedings summarize findings and recommendations of an expert-led meeting that addressed questions about when to emphasize limb salvage over other treatment options -- such as amputation -- for individuals with blast-related injuries.

Jun 11, 2020
Dissertation

Dissertation

Improving the Air Force Medical Service's Expeditionary Medical Support System: A Simulation Approach: Analysis of Mass-Casualty Combat and Disaster Relief Scenarios

Uses a simulation tool to analyze the Air Force's Expeditionary Medical Support System to see how it performs, what changes can be made, and the specific impacts on overall patient outcomes for different patient streams.

Jun 3, 2020
Periodical

Periodical

RAND Review: May-June 2020

Feature stories explore how military and local governments can work together to prepare their communities for climate change, and the unmet needs of civilians who return from war zones and other hot spots throughout the world.

May 22, 2020
Report

Options for Maintaining Clinical Proficiency During Peacetime

The U.S. Army Medical Department cares for war wounded during conflict and operates medical treatment facilities that care for service members, their beneficiaries, and military retirees. How can the Army help providers prepare at home for wartime?

May 19, 2020
Journal Article

Journal Article

The Relationship Between Engagement in Online Support Groups and Social Isolation Among Military Caregivers: Longitudinal Questionnaire Study

It is unclear how well online groups reduce social isolation and improve mental health among military caregivers. This study focused on members of a new online community for military caregivers, compared with caregivers who were members of existing groups.

Apr 29, 2020
Commentary

Pandemics and the U.S. Military: Lessons from 1918

Military leaders today face a more benign security environment than their predecessors did during the 1918 Spanish flu. The U.S. military is engaged in operations abroad, but it's not fighting a great-power war. The Pentagon has every reason to focus on stemming the COVID-19 pandemic even if it has to absorb some downgrade in readiness.

Apr 1, 2020
Report

Report

Neurological Effects of Repeated Exposure to Military Occupational Levels of Blast: A Review of Scientific Literature

There is increasing concern over the common, repetitive forms of blast to which military members are exposed during service, and how those exposures could affect the central nervous system. The authors of this report review the relevant literature.

Mar 18, 2020
Blog

State of the Union 2020: Insights from RAND

The final State of the Union address of President Trump's four-year term may be viewed through the lens of the unprecedented circumstances surrounding the evening. But the speech touched on a range of policy challenges that will remain, regardless of how politics play out in 2020.

Feb 5, 2020
Report

Report

Improving Behavioral Health Care for U.S. Army Personnel: Identifying Predictors of Treatment Outcomes

This report identifies factors associated with changes in outcomes for soldiers who received Army behavioral health specialty care and provides recommendations to improve care and outcomes for posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety.

Feb 3, 2020
Research Brief

Improving Behavioral Health Treatment Outcomes for U.S. Army Personnel: Predictors of Treatment Outcomes

In this brief, RAND researchers, in support of Army efforts to provide the highest-quality behavioral health care possible, identify factors associated with changes in outcomes for soldiers who receive Army behavioral health specialty care.

Feb 3, 2020
Report

Report

2017 U.S. Air Force Community Feedback Tool: Key Results Report for Air Force Headquarters

This report presents results from a self-reported needs assessment of airmen, spouses of airmen, and Air Force civilian employees intended to help leadership and service providers better address the major challenges that community members are facing.

Nov 14, 2019
Report

Research-Portfolio Performance Metrics: Rapid Review

Researchers reviewed metrics for evaluating research portfolios used by medical research organizations and appraised their characteristics. Organizations can use their results to help select, develop, and revise metrics for research portfolios.

Nov 12, 2019
Research Brief

Research Brief

Evolving the Practice of Evaluating Research-Portfolios

Researchers appraised metrics that medical research entities use to evaluate research portfolios. The work can help organizations select, develop, and revise metrics for their portfolios. This brief summarizes the findings and recommendations.

Nov 12, 2019
Report

Report

Gender Differences in Response to Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment: A Systematic Review

If men and women respond differently to treatments for alcohol use disorder, this would be important to consider in treatment selection. The authors of this systematic review sought to synthesize evidence for gender differences in treatment effects.

Nov 6, 2019
Report

Report

Optimizing Army Medical Materiel Strategy

This report describes how the U.S. Army can optimize its medical materiel strategies for efficient medical equipping readiness.

Oct 30, 2019
Report

Report

Improving U.S. Military Accession Medical Screening Systems

The project team outlined advantages and disadvantages of the two main systems for medically screening applicants to the U.S. armed forces and recommended a hybrid model as potentially more effective and efficient.

Oct 24, 2019
Commentary

Review of Behavioral Health Technician Training, Policies, and Practice Identifies New Opportunities

Behavioral health technicians are trained to be an essential part of the mental health clinical team, serving as provider extenders who work alongside and support licensed mental health providers. What are the factors that affect these roles? And how can the Military Health System most effectively incorporate them into mental health care settings?

Oct 15, 2019
Infographic

Infographic

Army Spouse Survey: Data to Help the Army Meet Spouses' Unique Needs

A survey of Army spouses identified challenges that Army families face and resources they need, including how spouses prioritize needs and how the Army can best address their most-pressing unmet needs.

Oct 8, 2019
Report

Report

Understanding Behavioral Health Technicians Within the Military: A Review of Training, Practice, and Professional Development

Are military behavioral health technicians adequately prepared for their roles? Are their skills being put to the best use? The authors examine selection, training, and responsibilities and offer recommendations to optimize training and roles.

Oct 7, 2019