Veterans
The First Year After Military Service: Predictors of U.S. Veterans’ Suicidal Ideation
Little is known about predictors of military veterans’ suicidal ideation as they transition from service to civilian life, a potentially high-risk period that represents a critical time for intervention. This study examined factors associated with veterans’ suicidal ideation in the first year after military separation.Predicting Homelessness Among U.S. Army Soldiers No Longer on Active Duty
The ability to predict and prevent homelessness has been an elusive goal. The purpose of this study was to develop a prediction model that identified U.S. Army soldiers at high risk of becoming homeless after transitioning to civilian life based on information available before the time of this transition.Comparing Outpatient Opioids, High-Risk Prescribing, and Opioid Poisoning Between Transgender and Cisgender Veterans: A Cross-sectional Analysis
Transgender veterans have a high prevalence of substance use disorder and physical and mental-health comorbidities, which are associated with prescription opioid use and overdose risk. This study compares receipt of outpatient opioids, high-risk opioid prescribing, and opioid poisoning between transgender and cisgender (i.e., nontransgender) veterans.Veterans Crisis Line Call Outcomes: Distress, Suicidal Ideation, and Suicidal Urgency
This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Veterans Crisis Line on immediate call outcomes (i.e., caller distress, suicidal ideation, and suicidal urgency) for veterans who provide identifying information.Vaccinating Veterans for COVID-19 at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
With the COVID-19 (most recent) Omicron variant surge across the U.S., more research is needed to better understand how vaccination and booster uptake can be increased. COVID-19 vaccinations have proven to help decrease the likelihood of becoming seriously ill, getting hospitalized, or dying. Studies examining patient characteristics of individuals who received COVID-19 vaccinations are limited. This study examines the patient characteristics of veterans who were vaccinated during the first 8 months (December 2020–July 2021) of the vaccination rollout at the U.S.Legal System Involvement and Opioid-Related Overdose Mortality in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Patients
Opioid-related overdose risks are elevated after incarceration. The rates of opioid-related overdose mortality have risen in recent years, including among Veterans Health Administration patients. To inform Veteran overdose prevention, this study evaluates whether opioid-related overdose risks differ for Veterans Health Administration patients with versus those without indicators of legal system involvement.Outpatient Prescribing of Antibiotics and Opioids by Veterans Health Administration Providers, 2015–2017
Antibiotics and opioids are targeted by public health and stewardship communities for reductions in prescribing across the country. This study evaluates trends and factors associated with outpatient prescribing by dental and medical providers in a large integrated health system.Characteristics Associated With Unsheltered Status Among Veterans
Unsheltered homelessness is a strongly debated public issue. The study objective is to identify personal and community characteristics associated with unsheltered homelessness in veterans and to test for interactions between these characteristics.Preventive Care Delivery After the Veterans Choice Program
The Veterans Choice Program expanded Veteran access to community care. The Veterans Choice Program may negatively impact the receipt of preventive care services owing to care fragmentation. This study assesses 10 measures of preventive care in Veterans with the Department of Veterans Affairs coverage before and after the Veterans Choice Program.The Problem of Veteran Homelessness: An Update for the New Decade
There has been a decade-long federal commitment to prevent and end homelessness among U.S. military veterans. Substantial progress has been made; so, a question that stakeholders ask is: Is veteran homelessness still a problem?Delayed Homelessness After Military Discharge: Examination of a Sleeper Effect
Addressing veteran homelessness is a major federal priority, but there has been little research on the period between military discharge and homelessness. There are public concerns about new waves of homelessness among recent veterans and questions about a possible sleeper effect, that is, a delayed risk that becomes stronger with time.Causes of Excess Mortality in Veterans Treated for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Published research indicates that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with increased mortality. However, causes of death among treatment-seeking patients with PTSD remain poorly characterized. The study objective was to describe causes of death among Veterans with PTSD to inform preventive interventions for this treatment population.Geographic, Temporal, and Sociodemographic Differences in Opioid Poisoning
Not enough is known about the epidemiology of opioid poisoning to tailor interventions to help address the growing opioid crisis in the U.S. The objective of this study is to expand the current understanding of opioid poisoning through the use of data analytics to evaluate geographic, temporal, and sociodemographic differences of opioid poisoning– related hospital visits in a region of New York State with high opioid poisoning rates.Characteristics of Veteran and Civilian Suicide Decedents: A Sex-Stratified Analysis
Few studies have examined characteristics distinguishing Veteran and civilian suicide decedents. An understanding of unique risk factors for Veteran suicide is critical to develop effective preventive interventions. This is particularly imperative for female Veterans, who have near double the suicide mortality rate of same-aged female civilians. The objectives of this study were to examine whether Veteran and civilian suicide decedents differed on risk factors and suicide-event characteristics, and to determine whether predictors changed based on sex.Administrative Military Discharge and Suicidal Ideation Among Post–9/11 Veterans
From 2005 to 2016, the Veteran suicide rate increased 25.9%. Reducing this rate is a top priority for the Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2017, a policy change expanded emergent mental health services to include previously ineligible Veterans discharged under other than honorable conditions. To date, research examining the relationship between military discharge type and suicide risk has been limited.Nicotine Dependence and Pre-Enlistment Suicidal Behavior Among U.S. Army Soldiers
Identification of modifiable risk factors for suicidal behaviors is a priority for the U.S. Army. This study investigated associations of nicotine dependence with suicidal behaviors among incoming soldiers.Patterns of Adverse Experiences and Health Outcomes Among Women Veterans
Adverse childhood experiences are associated with poor health outcomes in adulthood, such as depression, suicidal behavior, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Subsequent military service may continue trajectories of childhood adversity and contribute to cumulative disadvantage over the life span. This study examines distinct patterns of adversity from childhood through military service and their relationships with adult health and mental health outcomes.Firearm Storage Practices Among American Veterans
Interventions that reduce access to highly lethal and commonly used methods of suicide (e.g., limiting firearm access) are considered essential elements of effective suicide prevention programs. Scant epidemiologic data are available to inform such efforts among Veterans. The aim of this study is to describe firearm storage practices and correlates of those practices among a nationally representative sample of U.S. Veteran firearm owners.Proactive Tobacco Treatment for Smokers Using Veterans Administration Mental Health Clinics
Veterans with a mental health diagnosis have high rates of tobacco use but encounter low rates of treatment from providers. This study tested whether a proactive tobacco treatment approach increases treatment engagement and abstinence rates in Department of Veterans Affairs mental health patients.Post-traumatic Stress Disorder by Gender and Veteran Status
Population-based data on the prevalence, correlates, and treatment utilization of post-traumatic stress disorder by gender and veteran status are limited. With changes in post-traumatic stress disorder diagnostic criteria in 2013, current information from a uniform data source is needed.Veterans and the National Tragedy of Suicide
A recent publication in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine by Brignone et al.1 has highlighted that Veterans receiving non-routine discharges are at risk for homelessness, incarceration, and suicide. The publication, “Non-routine Discharge From Military Service: Mental Illness, Substance Use Disorders, and Suicidality,” focused on this vulnerable population often facing significant challenges when reintegrating into civilian life.Authors’ Response to “Veterans and the National Tragedy of Suicide”
We appreciate the comments of Drs. Lutwak and Dill on our research article, “Non-routine Discharge From Military Service: Mental Illness, Substance Use Disorders, and Suicidality,”1 highlighting the risk of adverse outcomes and re-integration challenges among those discharged from military service under non-routine conditions.Non-routine Discharge From Military Service: Mental Illness, Substance Use Disorders, and Suicidality
Mental illness and substance use disorders among newly returned military service members pose challenges to successful reintegration into civilian life and, in extreme cases, may lead to outcomes such as incarceration, homelessness, and suicide. One potential early indicator for these difficulties is non-routine discharge from military service.Suicide Among Military Personnel and Veterans Aged 18–35 Years by County—16 States
Suicide among military personnel and young Veterans remains a health concern. This study examined stateside distribution of suicides by U.S. county to help focus prevention efforts.Pre-deployment Alcohol Misuse Among Shipboard Active-Duty U.S. Military Personnel
The burden of alcohol misuse is unknown among shipboard U.S. Navy and Marine Corps military personnel immediately prior to deployment and may be elevated.
