Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Toxic Exposure
Financial Security
Women Veterans
Brain Health
Enhanced Quality of Life
Caregivers
VA Workforce and Modernization
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Solutions
Ensure community alignment: Continue to pursue a public health approach that coordinates action from all government as well as public-private partnerships. Programs to help veterans address invisible wounds from service, including the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, Mission Daybreak, and the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide, should be sufficiently funded and aligned.
Increase focus on opioid and substance use disorders: Promote stronger care and coordination for opioid and substance use disorders, as well as co-occurring mental health disorders, by enhancing internal VA capacity, post-care planning, and referrals to community providers.
Improve access to residential care: Ensure that veterans in need of inpatient residential care can access it in a timely and efficient manner. VA case coordination services should promote efficient connection to VA and community-based resources when veterans are ready to enter treatment.
Continue to leverage telehealth: Connect more veterans to care by addressing issues such as broadband access, IT infrastructure, VA care access points, and interstate medical practice rules for community mental health providers. Ensure that veterans can still choose how to receive their care as telehealth services expand.
Mental health issues continue to rank as the top service-related health problems among the warriors WWP serves.
The Need
Take Action
of WWP warriors reported PTSD
76%
of WWP warriors reported anxiety
76%
WWP warriors reported experiencing suicidal thoughts in the past year
1 in 4
Take Action
Expand and promote access to gender-specific care: Pass legislation that would expand access to gender-specific services in VA and through Community Care providers, as well as empower women veterans in decision-making processes related to health care. Strengthen implementation and outreach of programs targeting women veterans, including the Women Veterans Health Care program through VA.
Support efforts related to the military transition: Invest in mentorship and transition support services for women veterans, including in areas such as financial wellness and social health. Expand awareness and eligibility for educational opportunities and scholarship benefits upon exiting from the military. Encourage collaboration with the veteran service organization community, the DoD and VA to familiarize women veterans with community-based services that can ease challenges during the transition to civilian life.
Improve mental health care and benefits for women veterans: Develop stronger efforts related to destigmatizing accessing mental health services, including through women-focused cultural competency programming for Veterans Crisis Line operators, as well as also exploring new opportunities for non-pharmaceutical-based mental health treatment options. Additionally, enacting greater coordination across government agencies and disciplines to improve awareness, access to benefits, and quality of care for military sexual trauma survivors in mental health programs as well as across other health programs.
Women Veterans Solutions
of WWP women warriors experienced military sexual trauma
45%
While women veterans consistently break down barriers, they still experience unique challenges and gaps in care, both in uniform and beyond.
The Need
Take Action
Pass the Major Richard Star Act: In 2004, Congress passed a law allowing military retirees with at least 20 years of service who are rated at least 50 percent disabled to collect their full DoD retired pay and their full VA disability compensation benefits with no offset. The Major Richard Star Act would allow veterans who were retired for combat-related injuries with under 20 years of service to do the same. Take action now to urge Congress to pass this bill.
Maximize the impact of VA’s Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program: Pass legislation that would allow VR&E to operate at its highest potential and expand access to more disabled veterans. These improvements should include veteran-friendly policies for when the program can be used, transparency about eligibility determinations, and more consistent training for VR&E counselors.
Increase wounded warrior employment: Create opportunities throughout the federal government to help place veterans in positions that leverage skills and experience developed in the military. The federal government can immediately fill hiring needs with experienced candidates by creating employment programs to place veterans in stable jobs. While providing mental, physical, and financial health benefits, positions in the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, and Homeland Security can be filled by veterans with the desire to continue to work in support of our nation’s environmental, agricultural, and security needs.
Financial Security Solutions
of WWP warriors report working but not earning enough money
27%
of WWP warriors reported financial strain
64%
While veteran unemployment has hit pre-pandemic lows, too many warriors and their families continue to experience financial uncertainty.
The Need
Take Action
Ensure full PACT Act implementation: Work with Congress and the VA to support full implementation of the recently passed Honoring Our PACT Act, the WWP-championed toxic exposure law that represents the largest expansion of veterans’ health care and benefits in decades.
Mitigate harm from domestic toxic exposure: Ensure that Service members and veterans struggling with the harmful health effects of exposure to materials like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are associated with certain military occupations and installations have access to appropriate health care.
Toxic Exposure Solutions
of WWP warriors have received treatment at the VA for toxic exposure
8%
of WWP warriors reported exposure to burning trash during service
72%
Our nation must support veterans suffering from exposure-related illness, just as we do for those who are injured during service.
The Need
Take Action
Expand research on traumatic brain injury: More can and should be known about the expected course of neurological and cognitive functioning after TBI and how veterans can rely on the VA for long-term care and support. Committing to research and policies to identify and expand access to effective treatments and community-based supports are an effective step we can take now to better prepare for the future.
Promote long-term care and support: Support policies affecting veterans to promote the utilization and success of the VA’s long-term care programs for younger veterans, including those who have suffered TBIs in service.
Brain Health Solutions
36%
of WWP warriors self-reported experiencing TBI during their military service
37%
Brain trauma, specifically traumatic brain injury (TBI), has been referred to as a “signature injury” for post-9/11 veterans, and affects many warriors we serve.
The Need
Take Action
Support VA workforce improvements: Support policies that allow VA to recruit and retain high-quality talent to improve veterans’ experiences at VA and improve health outcomes.
Improve case coordination services: While the number of Service members catastrophically injured in service has decreased in recent years, the needs of severely injured Service members and veterans have not diminished over time and will, in many cases, grow. Support policies to help these individuals navigate the health system and promote a broad community effort to address overlapping resources and nonuniform availability of federal, state, and local resources.
Electronic health record and infrastructure modernization: As the VA’s health system continues to care for millions of veterans and aspires to serve even more, its information systems and brick-and-mortar facilities must be fully optimized to deliver the best care possible. Congressional oversight of these processes is essential.
VA Workforce and Modernization Solutions
of WWP warriors reported relying on VA for primary health care
67%
of WWP warriors are enrolled in VA health care
91%
Despite sustained efforts, the VA faces a workforce shortage and high turnover rates. Most warriors are enrolled in but underutilize this care.
The Need
54%
of WWP warriors reported relying on VA for mental health care
Take Action
Monitor caregiver program eligibility and appeals: Support the continued expansion of the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers to veterans of all generations. Continue to monitor program changes to ensure that veterans and caregivers in need of heightened support receive the resources and care they require to live healthy and fulfilling lives.
Address caregiver needs: Being a caregiver for a veteran often takes a toll on the caregiver’s mental health. Advance policies to ensure that caregivers are provided with adequate services for mental health and wellness, as well as resources to ensure that they can support themselves should their caregiving roles change.
Plan for financial future: Many caregivers place their career ambitions on hold to support their loved ones and face long-term financial uncertainty, particularly into typical retirement age. Advance policies to help caregivers establish financial security as their caregiving roles evolve over time.
Caregivers Solutions
of post-9/11 caregivers are likely to suffer from depression*
40%
of WWP warriors needing aid/assistance use the VA caregiver program
30%
Caregivers sacrifice daily to help our nation’s most severely injured service members and veterans and play an essential role in their care and well-being.
The Need
Take Action
Increase support for rural veterans: Improve the ability of rural veterans to access quality care and receive preventive care by improving access to broadband, increasing accessibility to quality community care, providing innovative health care delivery models, and decreasing IT burdens.
Reduce health care disparities for underserved populations: Ensure that underserved veterans have equitable access to care and preventive services by focusing on social determinants of health, reducing health care disparities, and improving outreach to underserved veterans.
Encourage independent living and accessibility: Make air travel more accessible by supporting policies that improve the ability of veterans and other people with disabilities to travel on commercial airlines with dignity and safety. Promote the creation of adaptive trails and recreational opportunities at National Parks and public lands. Remove barriers for warriors accessing adaptive recreational sports equipment through VA to help them improve their physical fitness and overall well-being. Modernize VA home improvement grants to ensure warriors are able to adapt their homes to accommodate their disabilities.
Enhanced Quality of Life Solutions
WWP warriors score lower in quality of life (VR-12) than the U.S general and military populations.
WWP believes that being a successful, well-adjusted generation of veterans is predicated on an enhanced quality of life — the ability to fully participate in and enjoy life.
The Need
* 2014 RAND Corporation's Hidden Heroes: America’s Military Caregivers Report
OVER
of WWP warriors experienced symptoms of head injury during service
See how we plan to help
Mental health issues continue to rank as the top service-related health problems among the warriors WWP serves.
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
WWP warriors reported experiencing suicidal thoughts in the past year
1 in 4
OVER
of WWP warriors reported anxiety
76%
of WWP warriors reported PTSD
76%
Take action
Connect more veterans to care by addressing issues such as broadband access, IT infrastructure, VA care access points, and interstate medical practice rules for community mental health providers. Ensure that veterans can still choose how to receive their care as telehealth services expand.
Continue to Leverage Telehealth
Ensure that veterans in need of inpatient residential care can access it in a timely and efficient manner. VA case coordination services should promote efficient connection to VA and community-based resources when veterans are ready to enter treatment.
Improve Access to Residential Care
Promote stronger care and coordination for opioid and substance use disorders, as well as co-occurring mental health disorders, by enhancing internal VA capacity, post-care planning, and referrals to community providers.
Increase Focus on Opioid and Substance Use Disorders
Continue to pursue a public health approach that coordinates action from all government as well as public-private partnerships. Programs to help veterans address invisible wounds from service, including the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, Mission Daybreak, and the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide, should be sufficiently funded and aligned.
Ensure Community Alignment
See next solution
The Need
Solutions
See how we plan to help
of WWP women warriors experienced military sexual trauma
45%
While women veterans consistently break down barriers, they still experience unique challenges and gaps in care, both in uniform and beyond.
The Need
Women Veterans
Take action
Pass legislation that would expand access to gender-specific services in VA and through Community Care providers, as well as empower women veterans in decision-making processes related to health care. Strengthen implementation and outreach of programs targeting women veterans, including the Women Veterans Health Care program through VA.
Expand and Promote Access to Gender-Specific Care
Develop stronger efforts related to destigmatizing accessing mental health services, including through women-focused cultural competency programming for Veterans Crisis Line operators, as well as also exploring new opportunities for non-pharmaceutical-based mental health treatment options. Additionally, enacting greater coordination across government agencies and disciplines to improve awareness, access to benefits, and quality of care for military sexual trauma survivors in mental health programs as well as across other health programs.
Improve Mental Health Care and Benefits for Women Veterans
Support Efforts Related to the Military Transition
See next solution
Solutions
See how we plan to help
of WWP warriors report working but not earning enough money
27%
of WWP warriors reported financial strain
64%
While veteran unemployment has hit pre-pandemic lows, too many warriors and their families continue to experience financial uncertainty.
The Need
Financial Security
Create opportunities throughout the federal government to help place veterans in positions that leverage skills and experience developed in the military. The federal government can immediately fill hiring needs with experienced candidates by creating employment programs to place veterans in stable jobs. While providing mental, physical, and financial health benefits, positions in the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, and Homeland Security can be filled by veterans with the desire to continue to work in support of our nation’s environmental, agricultural, and security needs.
Increase Wounded Warrior Employment
Pass legislation that would allow VR&E to operate at its highest potential and expand access to more disabled veterans. These improvements should include veteran-friendly policies for when the program can be used, transparency about eligibility determinations, and more consistent training for VR&E counselors.
Maximize the Impact of VA’s Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program
In 2004, Congress passed a law allowing military retirees with at least 20 years of service who are rated at least 50 percent disabled to collect their full DoD retired pay and their full VA disability compensation benefits with no offset. The Major Richard Star Act would allow veterans who were retired for combat-related injuries with under 20 years of service to do the same. Take action now to urge Congress to pass this bill.
Pass the Major Richard Star Act
See next solution
Solutions
See how we plan to help
Our nation must support veterans suffering from exposure-related illness, just as we do for those who are injured during service.
The Need
Toxic Exposure
Take action
Work with Congress and the VA to support full implementation of the recently passed Honoring Our PACT Act, the WWP-championed toxic exposure law that represents the largest expansion of veterans’ health care and benefits in decades.
Ensure Full PACT Act Implementation
Solutions
of WWP warriors have received treatment at the VA for toxic exposure
8%
of WWP warriors reported exposure to burning trash during service
72%
See how we plan to help
of WWP warriors experienced symptoms of head injury during service
36%
of WWP warriors self-reported experiencing TBI during their military service
37%
Brain trauma, specifically traumatic brain injury (TBI), has been referred to as a “signature injury” for post-9/11 veterans, and affects many warriors we serve.
The Need
Brain Health
Take action
More can and should be known about the expected course of neurological and cognitive functioning after TBI and how veterans can rely on the VA for long-term care and support. Committing to research and policies to identify and expand access to effective treatments and community-based supports are an effective step we can take now to better prepare for the future.
Expand Research on traumatic brain injury
See next solution
Solutions
Support policies affecting veterans to promote the utilization and success of the VA’s long-term care programs for younger veterans, including those who have suffered TBIs in service.
Promote Long-term Care and Support
See how we plan to help
of WWP warriors needing aid/assistance use the VA caregiver program*
40%
of WWP warriors needing aid/assistance use the VA caregiver program
30%
Caregivers sacrifice daily to help our nation’s most severely injured service members and veterans and play an essential role in their care and well-being.
The Need
Caregivers
Take action
Being a caregiver for a veteran often takes a toll on the caregiver’s mental health. Advance policies to ensure that caregivers are provided with adequate services for mental health and wellness, as well as resources to ensure that they can support themselves should their caregiving roles change.
Address caregiver needs
Support the continued expansion of the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers to veterans of all generations. Continue to monitor program changes to ensure that veterans and caregivers in need of heightened support receive the resources and care they require to live healthy and fulfilling lives.
Monitor Caregiver Program Eligibility and Appeals
See next solution
Solutions
* 2014 RAND Corporation's Hidden Heroes: America’s Military Caregivers Report
Many caregivers place their career ambitions on hold to support their loved ones and face long-term financial uncertainty, particularly into typical retirement age. Advance policies to help caregivers establish financial security as their caregiving roles evolve over time.
Plan for Financial Future
Invest in mentorship and transition support services for women veterans, including in areas such as financial wellness and social health. Expand awareness and eligibility for educational opportunities and scholarship benefits upon exiting from the military. Encourage collaboration with the veteran service organization community, the DoD and VA to familiarize women veterans with community-based services that can ease challenges during the transition to civilian life.
See how we plan to help
Despite sustained efforts, the VA faces a workforce shortage and high turnover rates. Most warriors are enrolled in but underutilize this care.
The Need
VA Workforce and Modernization
Take action
As the VA’s health system continues to care for millions of veterans and aspires to serve even more, its information systems and brick-and-mortar facilities must be fully optimized to deliver the best care possible. Congressional oversight of these processes is essential.
Electronic Health Record and Infrastructure Modernization
Improve Case Coordination Services
Support policies that allow VA to recruit and retain high-quality talent to improve veterans’ experiences at VA and improve health outcomes.
Support VA workforce improvements
See next solution
Solutions
of WWP warriors reported relying on VA for primary health care
67%
of WWP warriors are enrolled in VA health care
91%
of WWP warriors reported relying on VA for mental health care
54%
While the number of Service members catastrophically injured in service has decreased in recent years, the needs of severely injured Service members and veterans have not diminished over time and will, in many cases, grow. Support policies to help these individuals navigate the health system and promote a broad community effort to address overlapping resources and nonuniform availability of federal, state, and local resources.
See how we plan to help
Despite sustained efforts, VA faces a workforce shortage and high turnover rates. Most warriors are enrolled in but underutilize this care.
WWP warriors score lower in quality of life (VR-12) than the U.S general and military populations.
The Need
Enhanced Quality of Life
Take action
Ensure that underserved veterans have equitable access to care and preventive services by focusing on social determinants of health, reducing health care disparities, and improving outreach to underserved veterans.
Reduce Health care Disparities for Underserved Populations
Make air travel more accessible by supporting policies that improve the ability of veterans and other people with disabilities to travel on commercial airlines with dignity and safety. Promote the creation of adaptive trails and recreational opportunities at National Parks and public lands. Remove barriers for warriors accessing adaptive recreational sports equipment through VA to help them improve their physical fitness and overall well-being. Modernize VA home improvement grants to ensure warriors are able to adapt their homes to accommodate their disabilities.
Encourage Independent Living and Accessibility
Improve the ability of rural veterans to access quality care and receive preventive care by improving access to broadband, increasing accessibility to quality community care, providing innovative health care delivery models, and decreasing IT burdens.
Increase Support for Rural Veterans
See next solution
Solutions
News & Special Coverage
Read the 2023 Women Warriors Report
News & Special Coverage
News & Special Coverage
News & Special Coverage
News & Special Coverage
Read the report
News & Special Coverage
Ensure that Service members and veterans struggling with the harmful health effects of exposure to materials like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are associated with certain military occupations and installations have access to appropriate health care.
Mitigate Harm from Domestic Toxic Exposure
See next solution
News & Special Coverage
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Toxic Exposure
Financial Security
Women Veterans
Brain Health
Enhanced Quality of Life
Caregivers
VA Workforce and Modernization
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Solutions
Ensure community alignment: Continue to pursue a public health approach that coordinates action from all government as well as public-private partnerships. Programs to help veterans address invisible wounds from service, including the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, Mission Daybreak, and the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide, should be sufficiently funded and aligned.
Increase focus on opioid and substance use disorders: Promote stronger care and coordination for opioid and substance use disorders, as well as co-occurring mental health disorders, by enhancing internal VA capacity, post-care planning, and referrals to community providers.
Improve access to residential care: Ensure that veterans in need of inpatient residential care can access it in a timely and efficient manner. VA case coordination services should promote efficient connection to VA and community-based resources when veterans are ready to enter treatment.
Continue to leverage telehealth: Connect more veterans to care by addressing issues such as broadband access, IT infrastructure, VA care access points, and interstate medical practice rules for community mental health providers. Ensure that veterans can still choose how to receive their care as telehealth services expand.
Mental health issues continue to rank as the top service-related health problems among the warriors WWP serves.
The Need
Take Action
of WWP warriors reported PTSD
76%
of WWP warriors reported anxiety
76%
WWP warriors reported experiencing suicidal thoughts in the past year
1 in 4
Take Action
Expand and promote access to gender-specific care: Pass legislation that would expand access to gender-specific services in VA and through Community Care providers, as well as empower women veterans in decision-making processes related to health care. Strengthen implementation and outreach of programs targeting women veterans, including the Women Veterans Health Care program through VA.
Support efforts related to the military transition: Invest in mentorship and transition support services for women veterans, including in areas such as financial wellness and social health. Expand awareness and eligibility for educational opportunities and scholarship benefits upon exiting from the military. Encourage collaboration with the veteran service organization community, the DoD and VA to familiarize women veterans with community-based services that can ease challenges during the transition to civilian life.
Improve mental health care and benefits for women veterans: Develop stronger efforts related to destigmatizing accessing mental health services, including through women-focused cultural competency programming for Veterans Crisis Line operators, as well as also exploring new opportunities for non-pharmaceutical-based mental health treatment options. Additionally, enacting greater coordination across government agencies and disciplines to improve awareness, access to benefits, and quality of care for military sexual trauma survivors in mental health programs as well as across other health programs.
Women Veterans Solutions
of WWP women warriors experienced military sexual trauma
45%
While women veterans consistently break down barriers, they still experience unique challenges and gaps in care, both in uniform and beyond.
The Need
Take Action
Pass the Major Richard Star Act: In 2004, Congress passed a law allowing military retirees with at least 20 years of service who are rated at least 50 percent disabled to collect their full DoD retired pay and their full VA disability compensation benefits with no offset. The Major Richard Star Act would allow veterans who were retired for combat-related injuries with under 20 years of service to do the same.
Maximize the impact of VA’s Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program: Pass legislation that would allow VR&E to operate at its highest potential and expand access to more disabled veterans. These improvements should include veteran-friendly policies for when the program can be used, transparency about eligibility determinations, and more consistent training for VR&E counselors.
Increase wounded warrior employment: Create opportunities throughout the federal government to help place veterans in positions that leverage skills and experience developed in the military. The federal government can immediately fill hiring needs with experienced candidates by creating employment programs to place veterans in stable jobs. While providing mental, physical, and financial health benefits, positions in the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, and Homeland Security can be filled by veterans with the desire to continue to work in support of our nation’s environmental, agricultural, and security needs.
Financial Security Solutions
of WWP warriors report working but not earning enough money
27%
of WWP warriors reported financial strain
64%
While veteran unemployment has hit pre-pandemic lows, too many warriors and their families continue to experience financial uncertainty.
The Need
Take Action
Ensure full PACT Act implementation: Work with Congress and the VA to support full implementation of the recently passed Honoring Our PACT Act, the WWP-championed toxic exposure law that represents the largest expansion of veterans’ health care and benefits in decades.
Mitigate harm from domestic toxic exposure: Ensure that Service members and veterans struggling with the harmful health effects of exposure to materials like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are associated with certain military occupations and installations have access to appropriate health care.
Toxic Exposure Solutions
of WWP warriors have received treatment at the VA for toxic exposure
8%
of WWP warriors reported exposure to burning trash during service
72%
Our nation must support veterans suffering from exposure-related illness, just as we do for those who are injured during service.
The Need
Take Action
Expand research on traumatic brain injury: More can and should be known about the expected course of neurological and cognitive functioning after TBI and how veterans can rely on the VA for long-term care and support. Committing to research and policies to identify and expand access to effective treatments and community-based supports are an effective step we can take now to better prepare for the future.
Promote long-term care and support: Support policies affecting veterans to promote the utilization and success of the VA’s long-term care programs for younger veterans, including those who have suffered TBIs in service.
Brain Health Solutions
36%
of WWP warriors self-reported experiencing TBI during their military service
37%
Brain trauma, specifically traumatic brain injury (TBI), has been referred to as a “signature injury” for post-9/11 veterans, and affects many warriors we serve.
The Need
Take Action
Support VA workforce improvements: Support policies that allow VA to recruit and retain high-quality talent to improve veterans’ experiences at VA and improve health outcomes.
Improve case coordination services: While the number of Service members catastrophically injured in service has decreased in recent years, the needs of severely injured Service members and veterans have not diminished over time and will, in many cases, grow. Support policies to help these individuals navigate the health system and promote a broad community effort to address overlapping resources and nonuniform availability of federal, state, and local resources.
Electronic health record and infrastructure modernization: As the VA’s health system continues to care for millions of veterans and aspires to serve even more, its information systems and brick-and-mortar facilities must be fully optimized to deliver the best care possible. Congressional oversight of these processes is essential.
VA Workforce and Modernization Solutions
of WWP warriors reported relying on VA for primary health care
67%
of WWP warriors are enrolled in VA health care
91%
Despite sustained efforts, the VA faces a workforce shortage and high turnover rates. Most warriors are enrolled in but underutilize this care.
The Need
54%
of WWP warriors reported relying on VA for mental health care
Take Action
Monitor caregiver program eligibility and appeals: Support the continued expansion of the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers to veterans of all generations. Continue to monitor program changes to ensure that veterans and caregivers in need of heightened support receive the resources and care they require to live healthy and fulfilling lives.
Address caregiver needs: Being a caregiver for a veteran often takes a toll on the caregiver’s mental health. Advance policies to ensure that caregivers are provided with adequate services for mental health and wellness, as well as resources to ensure that they can support themselves should their caregiving roles change.
Plan for financial future: Many caregivers place their career ambitions on hold to support their loved ones and face long-term financial uncertainty, particularly into typical retirement age. Advance policies to help caregivers establish financial security as their caregiving roles evolve over time.
Caregivers Solutions
of post-9/11 caregivers are likely to suffer from depression*
40%
of WWP warriors needing aid/assistance use the VA caregiver program
30%
Caregivers sacrifice daily to help our nation’s most severely injured service members and veterans and play an essential role in their care and well-being.
The Need
Take Action
Increase support for rural veterans: Improve the ability of rural veterans to access quality care and receive preventive care by improving access to broadband, increasing accessibility to quality community care, providing innovative health care delivery models, and decreasing IT burdens.
Reduce health care disparities for underserved populations: Ensure that underserved veterans have equitable access to care and preventive services by focusing on social determinants of health, reducing health care disparities, and improving outreach to underserved veterans.
Encourage independent living and accessibility: Make air travel more accessible by supporting policies that improve the ability of veterans and other people with disabilities to travel on commercial airlines with dignity and safety. Promote the creation of adaptive trails and recreational opportunities at National Parks and public lands. Remove barriers for warriors accessing adaptive recreational sports equipment through VA to help them improve their physical fitness and overall well-being. Modernize VA home improvement grants to ensure warriors are able to adapt their homes to accommodate their disabilities.
Enhanced Quality of Life Solutions
WWP warriors score lower in quality of life (VR-12) than the U.S general and military populations.
WWP believes that being a successful, well-adjusted generation of veterans is predicated on an enhanced quality of life — the ability to fully participate in and enjoy life.
The Need
* 2014 RAND Corporation's Hidden Heroes: America’s Military Caregivers Report
OVER
of WWP warriors experienced symptoms of head injury during service
See how we plan to help
Mental health issues continue to rank as the top service-related health problems among the warriors WWP serves.
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
WWP warriors reported experiencing suicidal thoughts in the past year
1 in 4
OVER
of WWP warriors reported anxiety
76%
of WWP warriors reported PTSD
76%
Take action
Connect more veterans to care by addressing issues such as broadband access, IT infrastructure, VA care access points, and interstate medical practice rules for community mental health providers. Ensure that veterans can still choose how to receive their care as telehealth services expand.
Continue to Leverage Telehealth
Ensure that veterans in need of inpatient residential care can access it in a timely and efficient manner. VA case coordination services should promote efficient connection to VA and community-based resources when veterans are ready to enter treatment.
Improve Access to Residential Care
Promote stronger care and coordination for opioid and substance use disorders, as well as co-occurring mental health disorders, by enhancing internal VA capacity, post-care planning, and referrals to community providers.
Increase Focus on Opioid and Substance Use Disorders
Continue to pursue a public health approach that coordinates action from all government as well as public-private partnerships. Programs to help veterans address invisible wounds from service, including the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, Mission Daybreak, and the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide, should be sufficiently funded and aligned.
Ensure Community Alignment
See next solution
The Need
Solutions
See how we plan to help
of WWP women warriors experienced military sexual trauma
45%
While women veterans consistently break down barriers, they still experience unique challenges and gaps in care, both in uniform and beyond.
The Need
Women Veterans
Take action
Pass legislation that would expand access to gender-specific services in VA and through Community Care providers, as well as empower women veterans in decision-making processes related to health care. Strengthen implementation and outreach of programs targeting women veterans, including the Women Veterans Health Care program through VA.
Expand and Promote Access to Gender-Specific Care
Develop stronger efforts related to destigmatizing accessing mental health services, including through women-focused cultural competency programming for Veterans Crisis Line operators, as well as also exploring new opportunities for non-pharmaceutical-based mental health treatment options. Additionally, enacting greater coordination across government agencies and disciplines to improve awareness, access to benefits, and quality of care for military sexual trauma survivors in mental health programs as well as across other health programs.
Improve Mental Health Care and Benefits for Women Veterans
Support Efforts Related to the Military Transition
See next solution
Solutions
See how we plan to help
of WWP warriors report working but not earning enough money
27%
of WWP warriors reported financial strain
64%
While veteran unemployment has hit pre-pandemic lows, too many warriors and their families continue to experience financial uncertainty.
The Need
Financial Security
Create opportunities throughout the federal government to help place veterans in positions that leverage skills and experience developed in the military. The federal government can immediately fill hiring needs with experienced candidates by creating employment programs to place veterans in stable jobs. While providing mental, physical, and financial health benefits, positions in the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, and Homeland Security can be filled by veterans with the desire to continue to work in support of our nation’s environmental, agricultural, and security needs.
Increase Wounded Warrior Employment
Pass legislation that would allow VR&E to operate at its highest potential and expand access to more disabled veterans. These improvements should include veteran-friendly policies for when the program can be used, transparency about eligibility determinations, and more consistent training for VR&E counselors.
Maximize the Impact of VA’s Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program
In 2004, Congress passed a law allowing military retirees with at least 20 years of service who are rated at least 50 percent disabled to collect their full DoD retired pay and their full VA disability compensation benefits with no offset. The Major Richard Star Act would allow veterans who were retired for combat-related injuries with under 20 years of service to do the same.
Pass the Major Richard Star Act
See next solution
Solutions
See how we plan to help
Our nation must support veterans suffering from exposure-related illness, just as we do for those who are injured during service.
The Need
Toxic Exposure
Take action
Work with Congress and the VA to support full implementation of the recently passed Honoring Our PACT Act, the WWP-championed toxic exposure law that represents the largest expansion of veterans’ health care and benefits in decades.
Ensure Full PACT Act Implementation
Solutions
of WWP warriors have received treatment at the VA for toxic exposure
8%
of WWP warriors reported exposure to burning trash during service
72%
See how we plan to help
of WWP warriors experienced symptoms of head injury during service
36%
of WWP warriors self-reported experiencing TBI during their military service
37%
Brain trauma, specifically traumatic brain injury (TBI), has been referred to as a “signature injury” for post-9/11 veterans, and affects many warriors we serve.
The Need
Brain Health
Take action
More can and should be known about the expected course of neurological and cognitive functioning after TBI and how veterans can rely on the VA for long-term care and support. Committing to research and policies to identify and expand access to effective treatments and community-based supports are an effective step we can take now to better prepare for the future.
Expand Research on traumatic brain injury
See next solution
Solutions
Support policies affecting veterans to promote the utilization and success of the VA’s long-term care programs for younger veterans, including those who have suffered TBIs in service.
Promote Long-term Care and Support
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of WWP warriors needing aid/assistance use the VA caregiver program*
40%
of WWP warriors needing aid/assistance use the VA caregiver program
30%
Caregivers sacrifice daily to help our nation’s most severely injured service members and veterans and play an essential role in their care and well-being.
The Need
Caregivers
Take action
Being a caregiver for a veteran often takes a toll on the caregiver’s mental health. Advance policies to ensure that caregivers are provided with adequate services for mental health and wellness, as well as resources to ensure that they can support themselves should their caregiving roles change.
Address caregiver needs
Support the continued expansion of the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers to veterans of all generations. Continue to monitor program changes to ensure that veterans and caregivers in need of heightened support receive the resources and care they require to live healthy and fulfilling lives.
Monitor Caregiver Program Eligibility and Appeals
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Solutions
* 2014 RAND Corporation's Hidden Heroes: America’s Military Caregivers Report
Many caregivers place their career ambitions on hold to support their loved ones and face long-term financial uncertainty, particularly into typical retirement age. Advance policies to help caregivers establish financial security as their caregiving roles evolve over time.
Plan for Financial Future
Invest in mentorship and transition support services for women veterans, including in areas such as financial wellness and social health. Expand awareness and eligibility for educational opportunities and scholarship benefits upon exiting from the military. Encourage collaboration with the veteran service organization community, the DoD and VA to familiarize women veterans with community-based services that can ease challenges during the transition to civilian life.
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Despite sustained efforts, the VA faces a workforce shortage and high turnover rates. Most warriors are enrolled in but underutilize this care.
The Need
VA Workforce and Modernization
Take action
As the VA’s health system continues to care for millions of veterans and aspires to serve even more, its information systems and brick-and-mortar facilities must be fully optimized to deliver the best care possible. Congressional oversight of these processes is essential.
Electronic Health Record and Infrastructure Modernization
Improve Case Coordination Services
Support policies that allow VA to recruit and retain high-quality talent to improve veterans’ experiences at VA and improve health outcomes.
Support VA workforce improvements
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Solutions
of WWP warriors reported relying on VA for primary health care
67%
of WWP warriors are enrolled in VA health care
91%
of WWP warriors reported relying on VA for mental health care
54%
While the number of Service members catastrophically injured in service has decreased in recent years, the needs of severely injured Service members and veterans have not diminished over time and will, in many cases, grow. Support policies to help these individuals navigate the health system and promote a broad community effort to address overlapping resources and nonuniform availability of federal, state, and local resources.
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Despite sustained efforts, VA faces a workforce shortage and high turnover rates. Most warriors are enrolled in but underutilize this care.
WWP warriors score lower in quality of life (VR-12) than the U.S general and military populations.
The Need
Enhanced Quality of Life
Take action
Ensure that underserved veterans have equitable access to care and preventive services by focusing on social determinants of health, reducing health care disparities, and improving outreach to underserved veterans.
Reduce Health care Disparities for Underserved Populations
Make air travel more accessible by supporting policies that improve the ability of veterans and other people with disabilities to travel on commercial airlines with dignity and safety. Promote the creation of adaptive trails and recreational opportunities at National Parks and public lands. Remove barriers for warriors accessing adaptive recreational sports equipment through VA to help them improve their physical fitness and overall well-being. Modernize VA home improvement grants to ensure warriors are able to adapt their homes to accommodate their disabilities.
Encourage Independent Living and Accessibility
Improve the ability of rural veterans to access quality care and receive preventive care by improving access to broadband, increasing accessibility to quality community care, providing innovative health care delivery models, and decreasing IT burdens.
Increase Support for Rural Veterans
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Solutions
News & Special Coverage
Read the 2023 Women Warriors Report
News & Special Coverage
News & Special Coverage
News & Special Coverage
News & Special Coverage
Read the report
News & Special Coverage
Ensure that Service members and veterans struggling with the harmful health effects of exposure to materials like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are associated with certain military occupations and installations have access to appropriate health care.
Mitigate Harm from Domestic Toxic Exposure
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