The health and wellbeing needs of veterans: a rapid review

Abstract

BackgroundFor the majority of serving members, life in the military has a positive effect on wellbeing. However, the type, intensity and duration of service, along with the transition from fulltime military to civilian life, may have a negative effect on veterans’ wellbeing. Such negative consequences, alongside the growing veteran population, indicate the need for greater exploration of veterans’ physical, mental and social wellbeing.MethodsThe current paper reports on the findings of a rapid review of the literature on the health and wellbeing needs of veterans, commissioned by the Australian Department of Veterans’ Affairs to inform future programs and services. The databases Embase, Medline, Cinahl, PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Database were searched for systematic reviews reporting on veterans’ physical, mental and social wellbeing published in English in peer-reviewed journals.ResultsA total of 21 systematic reviews were included. The reviews reported on a range of mental, physical and social health problems affecting veterans. While there was limited information on prevalence rates of physical, mental and social health problems in veterans compared to civilian populations, the reviews demonstrated the interconnection between these domains and the effect of demographic and military service factors.ConclusionsA key finding of the review is the interconnection of the mental, physical, and social health of veterans, highlighting the importance that an integrated approach to veterans’ wellbeing is adopted. It is suggested that understanding key factors, such as demographic factors and factors relating to military service, can support improved service provision for veterans.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12888-017-1547-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

One Health and veterans’ post‐deployment health

“…Second, veterans can face multiple invisible war wounds such as mental health and substance use disorders 5,12 . Higher suicide risk has been reported in US military service members, both with and without prior deployments, when compared with the US general population 13 .…”

“…These stressors are evident as post‐9/11 veterans perceived that post‐deployment reintegration to civilian life was more difficult when compared with pre‐9/11 veterans, acknowledging potential generation gaps 15 . Table 2 presents selected psychosocial health risks that influence veterans’ optimal post‐deployment reintegration 5 . Health professionals can foster relationships with veterans and recommend interventions or additional resources for the prompt and appropriate management of these health concerns.…”

“…9 Second, veterans can face multiple invisible war wounds such as mental health and substance use disorders. 5,12 Higher suicide risk has been reported in US military service members, both with and without prior deployments, when compared with the US general population. 13 Non-pathological post-deployment transition symptoms can describe veterans' decreased concentration and focus, sleep irregularities, mood irritability and irregular emotional responses (e.g.…”

“…They propose four specific curriculum focus areas with related competencies and learning activities that can reinforce veteran‐specific content and optimise classroom and clinical education in order to provide holistic veterans’ post‐deployment health care. As such, health professionals will be able to strengthen provider–veteran communication and rapport, promptly identify veterans’ unmet health challenges, discuss and manage continuing needs and develop a veteran‐specific personalised management plan 5 …”

“…As such, health professionals will be able to strengthen provider-veteran communication and rapport, promptly identify veterans' unmet health challenges, discuss and manage continuing needs and develop a veteran-specific personalised management plan. 5…”