Conclusions

The America’s Health Rankings 2022 Health of Those Who Have Served Report continues to highlight distinct health concerns experienced by men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The findings of this report identify key health challenges faced by those who have served overall and for subpopulations in the areas of mental health, substance use and chronic conditions and pain. They also highlight advantages this group experiences in terms of reduced financial barriers to care and higher rates of preventive care seeking. We urge policymakers to use the findings of this report to better understand the unique health challenges of those who have served and to support efforts to connect those who have served with the care they need. We encourage providers to focus on addressing and treating the challenges faced by this population, particularly around mental health, through culturally competent and individualized care in order to help those who have served live healthier lives and thus improve the health of all communities.

Drawing on these important insights, future research, dialogue, advocacy and policy can improve the health and well-being of all those who have bravely and selflessly sacrificed to serve this country.