Behavioural health outcomes in veterans compared to nonveterans by rural and urban areas in Alabama, 2015-2018.

In the United States, tobacco use, alcohol consumption and substance use disorders are more prevalent among veterans when compared to nonveterans. This is also seen in Alabama, which led the researchers to review county level data to examine possible links between substance use, mental health and suicide by veteran status. This study sought to evaluate behavioural health outcomes and impacting factors for military veterans and nonveterans living in rural and urban areas of Alabama. In phase one, we developed Alabama-specific behavioural health outcomes at the state and county level for military veterans and nonveterans. In phase two, we examined county-level correlates of behavioural health outcomes among veterans and nonveterans. The data were retrieved from the 2015-2018 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) and the United States Census Bureau. Regarding tobacco use rates at the county level, nonveteran rates ranged from 23.93% to 34.56% while veteran rates ranged from 24.47% to 38.56%. Nonveteran illicit drug use rates ranged from 9.40% to 13.15% while veteran illicit drug use rates ranged from 5.50% to 10.67%. Nonveteran heavy alcohol use rates ranged from 4.54% to 7.92% while veteran heavy alcohol use rates ranged from 4.59% to 8.41%. Lastly, nonveteran suicidal ideation rates ranged from 3.64% to 4.60% while veteran suicidal ideation rates ranged from 3.16% to 4.51%. Veterans have a significantly higher potential of having suicidal ideations. We showed that illicit drug use and suicidal ideation have increased in Alabama among veterans and nonveterans. Behavioural health programmes and policies aimed at eliminating disparities between veterans and nonveterans are needed in Alabama.

Oral health among student veterans: Effects on mental and physical health.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore differences in oral health among students by military service status in postsecondary settings. Participants: Secondary data were obtained from the American College Health Association's 2011-2014 National College Health Assessment II. Method: Demographic characteristics of the study sample were explored by calculating frequencies and percentages by military service status. Research questions were explored with maximum likelihood multiple logistic regression. Results: Service member and veteran students are at greater risk for neglecting health behaviors associated with positive oral health, including that they were less likely to get dental exams and that those who deployed in the past were the least likely to be practicing good oral health. Conclusions: The results suggest that improving oral health will contribute to improving health and mental health outcomes in this population, and provide important information for health specialists working with service members and veterans on college campuses.

Civic engagement among student veterans.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess participation rates in civic volunteering among service member and veteran students. Participants: Data for the present cross-sectional study were obtained from the American College Health Association's (ACHA) 2011-2014 National College Health Assessment II (NCHA). Methods: Demographic characteristics of the study sample were explored by calculating frequencies and percentages by military service status. Research questions were explored with either Fisher's exact test or maximum likelihood multiple logistic regression. Results: Service member and veteran students were more likely to engage in volunteerism than their non-veteran counterparts. Additionally, student veterans and non-veteran students reported that engagement in volunteer efforts both reduces their feelings of depression and increases their use of mental health services. Conclusion: The findings of this research suggest that the promotion of civic engagement and participation in volunteerism for service member and veteran students on college campuses might contribute to successful reintegration outcomes.

Correction to: Sexual Behaviors and Health Practices Among Student Service Members and Veterans.

Please note that the middle initial of coauthor Antoinette M. Landor was given incorrectly (as "A.") in this article as originally published.

Sexual Behaviors and Health Practices Among Student Service Members and Veterans.

The purpose of the study was to determine whether veteran students and non-veteran students differed in their sexual behaviors and health practices and, furthermore, whether or not those differences were gender specific. Demographic characteristics of the study sample were explored by calculating frequencies and percentages by military service status. Research questions were explored with maximum likelihood multiple logistic regression. Results showed that student veterans were more likely than non-veteran students to have sex with multiple partners, with males and transgender students more likely than females to report multiple sexual partners. Student veterans were more likely than non-veterans to perform a self-examination for either breast cancer or testicular cancer, with transgender students more likely than females to report having engaged in a self-examination. Student veterans were also more likely than non-veterans to have been vaccinated against HPV or Hepatitis B, with male students more likely than females to have been vaccinated. Furthermore, transgender student veterans were less likely than female veterans to have been vaccinated. Finally, male student veterans were more likely than female veterans to report an STI-related doctor visit, with transgender student veterans more likely than female veterans to report an STI-related doctor visit. College campuses are increasingly implementing student veteran-specific programs and services; however, little if any research specifically has explored ways in which safety and health can be promoted within university settings. We recommend that institutions of higher education make concerted efforts to promote safety and health among its student veteran population.

Regional differences in BMI, obesity, and exercise frequency in a large veteran service organization: A secondary analysis of new veteran member surveys from Team Red, White & Blue.

The purpose of the present study was to examine regional differences in average self-reported BMI, obesity prevalence, and frequent exercise (FE) among members of Team Red, White, and Blue (Team RWB) - a military veteran service organization founded to increase physical activity in veterans. A total of 10,015 military veterans participated in a needs assessment conducted by Team RWB between December 2014 and August 2016. Multivariate regression analysis with bootstrapped coefficients revealed that: BMI was highest in the Midwest region (M = 28.282) of the United States, F(20, 9882) = 105.560, p < 0.001; obesity prevalence was highest in the Southcentral (32.300%) and Southeast (32.200%) regions, x2(9731) = 10,850, p < 0.001; and FE was most prevalent in the Mid-Atlantic region (67.3%), x2(9882) = 11,291, p < 0.001.The results of this study closely mirror results found in studies of the general population. A better understanding of the geographic distribution of these outcomes could guide the targeting of sub-populations for public health programs. In particular, Team Red, White & Blue community growth and other fitness based public health programs could be expanded to reach more veterans.

Spiritual Fitness for Military Veterans: A Curriculum Review and Impact Evaluation Using the Duke Religion Index (DUREL).

Suicide rates among military veterans exceed those found in the general population. While the exact reasons for these high rates are unknown, contributing factors may include the military's perceived rejection of patient identities, creating barriers to mental health care within the clinical sector and a mandate for prevention programs. Spiritual fitness has emerged over the last decade as an important concept in human performance optimization and is included among holistic approaches to developing and maintaining mentally fit fighting forces. In attempts to better understand the role that spiritual fitness and religion play in mitigating and/or reducing suicide risk among veterans, the aims of this study were twofold (1) to assess the utility of the Duke Religion Index as a psychometric instrument for use with veterans completing spiritual fitness training and (2) to offer a post-intervention process evaluation of the spiritual fitness module from one resilience program offered to military veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan in 2016. Twenty-eight attendees at the JRWI Wellness Resilient Leadership Retreat completed post-retreat surveys to assess their satisfaction with the coursework and specifically, to assess the spiritual fitness module of the resiliency retreat's curriculum. In total, the research team reviewed 25 completed post-intervention survey responses (89.3% response rate). Descriptive statistics indicated that respondents (n = 25) were subjectively religious, defined as belief in a higher power practiced in ritualized ways. Over half of program participants indicated they (a) attended religious meetings at least once a week and (b) engaged in private religious activity-such as meditation-at least once a day. Results showed that most program participants reported that the spiritual fitness skills learned during the resilient leadership program were useful (88%) (Z = 3.000, p < 0.001). Additionally, most program participants reported their interest in spiritual exploration was affirmed, renewed, or raised as a result of attending the peer-led resilient leadership program (76%) (Z = 6.000, p = 0.015). Culturally informed prevention programs that emphasize spiritual fitness are indicated for use in veteran outreach and well-being programs. More detailed research is needed to assess curriculum specifics.