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Traumatic Brain Injury

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Individuals with head injuries or who suffer from exposure to explosive blasts (such as first responders, accident victims, and combat troops) may experience mild to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) that causes cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and physical problems. RAND conducts studies to assess the educational needs of TBI patients and their families and to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of government-sponsored programs designed to support TBI patients.

Essay
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.
Nov 8, 2021
Research Brief
How to Improve Long-Term Outcomes for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury
Treatment for veterans with TBI has improved since the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq began. But today's veteran population is more diverse than ever, and improving outcomes requires a better understanding of how TBI affects veterans' lives over the long term, what they may need as they age, and effective treatments.
Apr 28, 2022

Explore Traumatic Brain Injury

Report
Toward a Unified Multiscale Computational Model of the Human Body's Immediate Responses to Blast-Related Trauma: Proceedings and Expert Findings from a U.S. Department of Defense International State-of-the-Science Meeting
These proceedings describe the tenth U.S. Department of Defense International State-of-the-Science Meeting on Blast Injury Research, where experts discussed innovations in multiscale modeling of the human body's response to blast-related trauma.
Jun 13, 2023
Commentary
Dementia in the National Security Workforce Could Create a Security Threat
Challenges associated with cognitive impairment in the workplace will increase as people continue to live longer and retire later. Individuals who work in national security and intelligence could become a security threat if they develop dementia and unwittingly share government secrets.
Apr 4, 2023
Commentary
The Ripples of War Are Only Beginning to Spread. Is America Ready?
There are now more than 1.9 million U.S. veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 50,000 were physically injured and around 15 percent have experienced PTSD. Perhaps all were exposed to burn pits and other toxins. What are the long-term impacts of the wars on those who fought them?
Mar 23, 2023
Commentary
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.
Sep 12, 2022
Research Brief
Standards for Delivering High-Quality Care to Veterans with Invisible Wounds
Depression, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and substance use disorders interfere with veterans' employment, family life, community engagement, and well-being. There are effective treatments but also barriers to accessing them. A set of standards can help identify providers who serve veterans and deliver high-quality care.
May 9, 2022
Report
Recommended Standards for Delivering High-Quality Care to Veterans with Invisible Wounds
The authors identified ten standards for the delivery of high-quality care for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, substance use disorders, and mild traumatic brain injury.
May 9, 2022
Blog
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.
Apr 29, 2022
Report
Improving Care for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury Across the Lifespan
This report presents findings from a study designed to identify the long-term outcomes of traumatic brain injury for veterans, the future needs of this population, effective treatments, and the availability of community-based resources.
Apr 28, 2022
Blog
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.
Nov 12, 2021
Periodical
RAND Review: November-December 2021
The cover story highlights how RAND is helping to redefine high-quality care for service members with a TBI or PTSD. The Q&A with two Marines who work at RAND sheds light on how their military service informs their research and analysis.
Nov 1, 2021
Report
Toward a Unified Multiscale Computational Model of the Human Body's Immediate Responses to Blast-Related Trauma: A Review of the Scientific Literature
This report describes what is known about the human body's immediate responses to blast trauma from the results of computational modeling and identifies opportunities for further research in an effort to fill knowledge gaps.
Oct 4, 2021
Report
Evolution of Department of Defense Disability Evaluation and Management of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury: Overview of Policy Changes, 2001–2018
The authors review major policy changes to the military's disability evaluation system between 2001 and 2018 with a particular focus on changes to policies related to posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
May 10, 2021
Research Brief
Post 9/11 Trends in Medical Separation and Separation for Service Members with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury
Trends in military medical discharges and disability ratings can help the U.S. Department of Defense set goals for diagnosing, treating, and evaluating service members with posttraumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury.
May 10, 2021
Report
Trends in Department of Defense Disability Evaluation System Ratings and Awards for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury, 2002–2017
The authors conduct an empirical analysis of trends in diagnosis, treatment, and disability evaluation for posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury among military service members between 2002 and 2017.
May 10, 2021
Research Brief
2018 Health Related Behaviors Survey: Physical Health and Functional Limitations Among the Active Component
The 2018 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health and health behaviors of service members. This brief reviews results for physical health and functional limitations among active component members.
Apr 28, 2021
Research Brief
2018 Health Related Behaviors Survey: Physical Health and Functional Limitations Among the Reserve Component
The 2018 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health and health behaviors of service members. This brief reviews results for physical health and functional limitations among reserve component members.
Apr 28, 2021
Journal Article
The Differential Mortality of Glasgow Coma Score in Patients with and Without Head Injury
This article determines if the association of Glasgow Coma Score with mortality is influenced by the presence of traumatic brain injury.
Dec 31, 2020
Multimedia
Benefits and Applications of a Standardized Definition of High-Quality Care
RAND senior policy researcher Carrie Farmer presents several ways in which a standardized definition of high-quality care could be used by health care organizations, veterans, and payers.
Dec 17, 2020

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