By the Numbers - June 17, 2013

By the Numbers - June 17, 2013

25%

The percentage of "honorably discharged veterans" qualified for VA health care that "take advantage of this benefit," according to a recent article in the American Journal of Nursing, Enhancing Veteran-Centered Care: A Guide for Nurses in Non-VA Settings.

According to the article, there are more than 22.5 million living U.S. military veterans, "and this number is expected to increase dramatically as military personnel return from Iraq and Afghanistan." Since the majority of veterans opt for health care in non-VA settings, " It's imperative for nurses in all civilian care settings to understand the impact that military service has on veterans' health."

The article discusses "traumatic brain injury, polytrauma, hazardous exposures, chronic pain, posttraumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, substance use disorders, suicide, and homelessness."