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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.

Report

Defining High-Quality Care for Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Oct 22, 2020

A rigorously developed, shared definition of high-quality care for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury will help clinical providers and veteran-serving organizations better meet veterans' needs.
Report

Treatment of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in the Military Health System

Apr 18, 2016

Among service members diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, the majority of cases are concussions. Understanding the characteristics of service members with these injuries and their treatment patterns can inform the delivery of high-quality care.

Explore Traumatic Brain Injury

Commentary

All Veterans with Invisible Wounds Should Receive High-Quality Care That Meets These Standards

Millions of post-9/11 U.S. military veterans experience life-changing invisible wounds, including posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic issues resulting from traumatic brain injuries. While effective treatments are available, many veterans lack access to high-quality care. And what high-quality care means, exactly, has been elusive.

Oct 30, 2020
Research Brief

What Does High-Quality Care Mean for Veterans with Invisible Wounds?

Many veterans have difficulty accessing high-quality care for posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. As clinical providers and veteran-serving organizations aim to improve access, a shared definition of high-quality care for these conditions would help them better meet veterans' needs.

Oct 22, 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
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
Journal Article

Journal Article

Impact of TBI on Caregivers of Veterans with TBI: Burden and Interventions

Programs to support caregivers and families of veterans with traumatic brain injuries will benefit from further research on the specific economic and health needs of these caregivers.

Dec 7, 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
Commentary

Invisible Wounds: Closing the Gaps to More Effectively Address These Injuries

Too few of the veterans who experience mental health issues get the help they need. Even fewer get the right care. Closing these gaps will require raising awareness about the barriers to care, and changing how the mental health care system is organized and delivers services.

Sep 29, 2016
Research Brief

Research Brief

Characteristics and Treatment Patterns of Service Members with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

This research brief describes the first comprehensive study of care for mild traumatic brain injury, or concussion, in the Military Health System, including patient characteristics, care settings, co-occurring conditions, and long-term care needs.

Apr 18, 2016
Research Brief

Research Brief

Assessing the Department of Defense's Approach to Reducing Mental Health Stigma

This brief assesses the military's approach to reducing stigma for mental health disorders.

Jan 18, 2016
Research Brief

Understanding the Mental Health Needs of Metro Detroit's Veterans

Using a variety of methods, RAND has constructed a broad and detailed picture of the mental health support landscape for metro Detroit veterans, and identified areas where critical gaps remain.

Jan 14, 2016
Report

Supporting the Mental Health Needs of Veterans in the Metro Detroit Area

This study focuses on the mental health-related needs facing veterans in the Detroit metropolitan area to identify gaps in the support landscape and inform future investments for community-level resources to fill those gaps.

Jan 14, 2016
Commentary

Book Review: 'Women at War'

Today, women represent approximately 15 percent of the U.S. military but research on their specific physical and psychological health issues has remained relatively sparse. A new book, Women at War, attempts to change that.

Dec 21, 2015
Commentary

Veterans Battle Mental Health Issues After Iraq and Afghanistan

Researchers have made great progress capturing the consequences of coping with injuries sustained in the theater of war, but the emerging picture is shadowed in grays. A series of recent findings presents a bleak portrait of the cost of modern war to service members, their families, and their health care providers.

Jun 4, 2015
Report

Report

Care Transitions to and from the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) for Service Members with Traumatic Brain Injury

The National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) provides specialized services for troops suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI). RAND evaluated interactions between the NICoE and providers referring patients and implementing treatment plans.

May 7, 2015
Commentary

Traumatic Brain Injury Isn't Just an NFL Problem

Chris Borland retired early out of concern for his long-term mental and emotional health as a result of football's well-documented link to traumatic brain injury. Hopefully, his bold move will lead to better prevention and treatment of brain trauma in football, but it is also an issue for young athletes, military veterans, and others.

Apr 30, 2015
Research Brief

Research Brief

Improving Sleep Health for U.S. Servicemembers: Policies, Programs, Barriers to Implementation, and Recommendations

Sleep problems can have consequences for servicemembers' health and for force readiness and resiliency. This first-ever comprehensive review of sleep-related policies and programs led to recommendations for improving sleep across the force.

Apr 6, 2015

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