...Homeless Veterans in America Name Institution Part 1 Statistics show that there are between 130,000 and 200,000 homeless veterans in America. Homeless veterans amount to about one-fourth and one-fifth of the entire homeless population in America. Homeless veterans are a population of Americans who have at one time or the other served their country in war. An estimated 131,000 veterans spend a night homeless, and this population doubles if one considers the population of homeless veterans over the course of the year. An approximate of 40% homeless men are veterans that are a significant considering 34% of the general adult male population is composed of veterans. Besides being homeless, this population faces other problems which include; social, economic, and psychological problems (Alker, 2009). Homeless veterans are more likely to suffer addiction as compared to the general population. According to Alker (2009), 76% of homeless veterans are alcohol or drug addicts. Because of the painful memories and the new reality of homelessness that dawn on them they turn to alcohol and drugs. Coupled with all the problems these homeless veterans experience social problems such as isolation. For this reason, they have no one to share their pains with and, therefore, they rarely receive help for treatable conditions such as addiction (Center for American Progress, 2008). Economic stressors are a root cause of homelessness for American veterans. The skills acquired from their military...
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...In the study of these comorbidities with PTSD among combat veterans Britvic, Anticevic, Kaliterna, Lusita, Beg, et al. (2015) compared veterans who have had traumatic experiences in combat, to those who have not been on the battlefield, by analyzing the disparity of somatic diseases occurrences between the two groups. They further examined the effects of socio-demographic factors, as well as exposure to war trauma- with or without injury, on predicting specific somatic diseases; their findings concluded that in general: PTSD- caused by war trauma- increases the likelihood of somatic diseases to arise. The authors further determined that diseases such as: cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, dermatological, metabolic, and pulmonary, occurred more frequently in veterans that have been exposed to combat- specifically those with PTSD, and regardless of the duration of their service- than the control veterans who do not have experience in...
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...Orange Veterans who served anywhere in Vietnam between January 9th, 1962 and May 7th, 1975 are presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange. Agent Orange was a powerful mixture of chemical defoliants used by the U.S. military forces during the Vietnam War to eliminate forest cover for North Vietnam and Vietnam troops. It was also used for crops. Agent Orange contained Chemical dioxin, which was the most commonly use of herbicide mixtures and was the most effective. 19 million gallons were sprayed over 4.5 million acres of land from 1961 to 1972. Agent Orange was a disease that affected Veterans who served in Vietnam. Even if you just stepped foot in Vietnam or you served on a ship while it operated on the island waterways of Vietnam you could still get Agent Orange. “Many recognized certain cancers and other health problems with exposure to Agent Orange during military service” (U.S Department of Veterans Affairs). This shows that Agent Orange caused diseases, many diseases. “Agent Orange reviled to cause serious health issues, tumors, birth defects, rashes, psychological symptoms, and cancer among returning U.S servicemen and their families as well as the Vietnamese population” (History.com). This states that Agent Orange was harmful to Vietnam Servicemen and...
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...Veterans, the men and women who left behind loved ones and families to bravely venture to countries unknown to fight for freedoms and rights that all too many take for granted. The amazing multitude of Americans who “wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America, for the amount of up to and including their own life”, taking the oath to “protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic”. That blank check was and always is eagerly, at the drop of a hat accepted by our government. These unique individuals go off to fight, serve and protect as they swore to do. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice but the surviving ones return home with physical, emotional and psychological scars; betrayed by their very own government. Now they are home and back to the city, state and country they risked it all for and are homeless with no help from the very government that said, “We’ll be here when you need us, just as you were here for the government at the time of need”. Many of these individuals come home only to fight different battles that were unexpected. Psychological battle: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD can occur after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic or life-threatening...
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...in the Veteran Population NUR / 408 July 7, 2014 Deborah Nallo Introduction Hepatitis C (HCV) is highly prevalent within the Veteran population. HCV is a major public health concern because of the debilitating effects associated with the virus. HCV results in increased mortality and morbidity rates resulting from the acute and chronic effects of the virus. The most common transmission of HCV occurs through injection drug use, injuries resulting from needle sticks and the lack of infection control in healthcare facilities. The transmission of HCV can also occur through sexual contact between individuals who have the human immunodeficiency virus, and HCV virus, tattoos that were not professionally done and HCV infected mothers who have transmitted the virus to their newborn babies. The hepatitis C virus is the most common blood-borne virus in the United States. An estimated 3.2 million people in the United States have chronic hepatitis C. Most are unaware of their infection. Each year, about 17,000 Americans become infected with hepatitis C ("Centers for Disease Control and Prevention", n.d.). The veteran population has a higher rate of HCV exposure and infection when compared to the general population. Many of the individuals who are infected with the HCV virus are unaware of their infection and therefore they do not receive the necessary treatment. Individuals with HCV are at increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinomas and other liver diseases. Due to...
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...Psychological Disorders Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs when someone has gone through or experienced a traumatic event in their life. The person suffering from PTSD experiences reoccurring episodes of the traumatic event they experienced. There are many different types of traumatic events that could trigger this disease. Some examples that may lead to PTSD are witnessing a crime, domestic abuse, and war. The most experience I have had with PTSD is learning about soldiers who have been affected by fighting in war. I’ve read several fiction novels that display a soldier dealing with PTSD. In Tim O’Brien’s fiction novel The Things They Carried, many soldiers are affected by fighting in the Vietnam War. The book takes the reader through the soldiers’ experiences while fighting, and then fast-forwards to years down the road when the veterans are much older. The reason for this is to show how the veterans are still affected by the war many years later. One particular soldier, Norman Bowker, spent his late years reflecting on his time in the war. He blamed himself for what happened to his fellow soldiers. He first handily watched one of his good friends die in combat. Bowker had the chance to save his friend, but he was unable to do so. Norman had reoccurring episodes where he found himself in the middle of combat, not knowing what to do. After these episodes occurred, he felt no purpose of living anymore. The aftermath of the war is what got to Bowker...
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...Performing a family assessment is vital, especially when working with high risk individuals and groups. High risk families can be defined as those families with a higher than expected risk for developing a particular disease or injury in association to their lifestyle, environment, habits, or socio-economic conditions. Post active-duty war veterans are a group that is at high risk for developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which can lead to physical, psychological, and social problems. These problems not only affect the veteran but also strongly alter the health and lifestyle of the entire family. The objective of this paper is to present the health profile and behaviors of PTSD veterans, describe assessment models and theories that are applicable to the patient and family, and identify Healthy People 2020 objectives that relate to this high risk group. In addition, the paper will present nurse intervention strategies based on health promotion and prevention as well as the role of advanced practice nurses as case managers. Health Profile According to the Mayo Clinic (2012), PTSD “is a mental health condition that is triggered by a terrifying event” (p. 1). After experiencing severe trauma or a life-threatening event, many deployed war veterans develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Many feel as though their lives or the lives of others are in imminent danger in which they have no control. These feelings develop...
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...program for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. I believe that PTSD is a state of mind that an individual has or how the deal with a certain traumatic event that has taken place in their life. According to Santrock (2006), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological disorder that develops through exposure to a traumatic event, such as war; severely oppressive situations, such as the Holocaust; severe abuse, as in rape; natural disasters, such as floods and tornados; and unnatural disasters, such as plane crashes (p.132). Much of what is known about PTSD comes from individuals who have developed the disorder because of combat and war-related traumas. Kearney et al. (2012) studied using new research to assess outcomes associated with Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for veterans with PTSD. It has been suggested that acceptance of mindfulness-based approaches may be useful in the treatment of PTSD, though currently outcome data are lacking (Kearney et al., 2012). There were initially 167 veterans referred to the MBSR during the study period. From the charts I found that after orientation and evaluation of the subjects only forty-seven veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder were randomized to treatment as usual (TAU; n = 22), or MBRS plus TAU (n = 25). PTSD, depression, and mental health-related quality of life (HRQOL) were assessed at baseline, post treatment, and 4-month follow-up. During the four month treatment the veterans assigned to...
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...war: Infectious diseases Due to unsanitary conditions and congested battlefields, infectious diseases are very common and spread fast. Examples of infectious diseases include: Trench Foot: is a disease caused by having one’s feet immersed in cold or muddy water for a long period of time. As a result, the foot becomes swollen and the tissues began to die. Unfortunately, in severe cases, the foot may have to be amputated (Cherney). Campylobacter Jejuni: an infection which causes abdominal pain, fever, and diarrhea. Leishmaniasis: a disease caused by the bite of a sand fly....
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... Suicide Suicide has historically been and continues to be a significant issue in the United States, for civilians as well as active duty military service members and veterans. While statistics surrounding suicide appear to be just numbers on a page, I personally implore the reader of the following paper to never lose sight of the fact that those numbers represent real people. Each one of those people, be they civilian or military, represent a loss of a father or a mother, a brother or a sister, a son or a daughter, a best friend, a comrade, …a person whose life, and that life’s potential, is now forever lost. The following statistics on suicide rates in the United States do not differentiate if the individual was a civilian, an active duty service member, or a veteran. According to the Division of Vital Statistics, cause-of-death statistics in 1964, 20,588 individuals reported the cause of death was suicide, equating to an average of 56 suicides per day, making it the 12th leading cause of death in the United States in 1964. The most frequently used means of committing suicide in 1964 were firearms and explosives, “… self-inflicted gunshot wounds accounted for 48 percent of all suicides in 1964” (Massey, 1967). A half century later in 2014, statistical reports compiled by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), indicate suicide as the 10th leading cause of death, accounting for 42,733 deaths (means used to commit suicide: 21,334 [firearms]; 11,407 [suffocation];...
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...Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Vietnam War Veterans COMM/156 4/14/2013 Professor Marsha Parker PTSD is an anxiety disorder classified as a mental illness caused by exposure to terrifying or life threatening events. During the time of war, people get exposed to devastating experiences such as sexual abuse, witnessing murder of family members or familiar people, and other horrors of war. As a result, the victims suffer from mental disorders since the horrible experiences are forever ingrained in their mind. Bearing in mind that bad memories are rarely erased, the experiences can be compared to a horror movie that is often played in the mind and constantly frightens the victim to death. On one hand the victim celebrates survival but on the other hand the experiences haunt one through night mares or flashbacks. The victim remains constantly on edge and is easily startled. Some common feelings include intense guilt and some time numbness- all signs of posttraumatic stress disorder (TMP, 2012). A research finding by Bruce Dohrenwend and colleagues from New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia’s Letter Carrier School of Public Health, shows that traumatic experiences during war predicted the onset of PTSD in Vietnam veterans (Mikulak, 2013). We will examine the PTSD in Vietnam War veterans. Human existence has been always exposed to traumatic incidences of various kinds. For instance, attacks by lions or even the twentieth century terrorist attacks to...
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...Veterans Health Care Survey April 2008 -Questionnaire- ASSESSING VETERANS’ ATTITUDES ABOUT THE GENOMIC MEDICINE PROGRAM [SCREENING QUESTION] [prompt] S1 Have you ever received health or psychological care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)? • Yes • No [end survey] [END SURVEY SCREEN] We appreciate your response. We are seeking to understand the opinions of veterans who receive health care through the VA. Thank you for your time. [Display] THANK YOU FOR AGREEING TO TAKE THIS SURVEY. THE SURVEY IS BEING DONE BY THE GENETICS AND PUBLIC POLICY CENTER AT JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY. FUNDING FOR THE SURVEY COMES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA). THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY IS TO COLLECT OPINIONS FROM VETERANS WHO GET HEALTH CARE THROUGH THE VA ABOUT A RESEARCH PROJECT BEING CONSIDERED BY THE VA. All of the answers you provide in this survey will be kept confidential. No identifying information will be provided to the Genetics and Public Policy Center or the VA. The survey data will be reported in a summary fashion only and will not identify any individual person. This survey will take about 20 minutes to complete. [Display] THE GENOMIC MEDICINE PROGRAM Many diseases result from a mix of genetics, environment, and lifestyle. To figure out how genes, environment, and lifestyle interact to cause disease, a large number of people need to be studied. The VA would like to do this kind of research and is considering a...
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...agents include anthrax, botulism, Ebola, blood borne, and food borne pathogens. When exposed to biological or infectious agents humans may present with immediate and long term effects. Immediate effects are the initial signs and symptoms that are manifested once the subject comes in contact with the biological agent. These clinical manifestations include fever, chest pain, cough, cold, allergic reactions, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and abrupt onset of respiratory distress. However, some individuals may experience fatigue and shortness of breath for years (Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards, Department of Veterans Affairs, 2003). Long term effects can be medical, social, and psychological. Persons exposed to biological toxins may experience chronic medical diseases such as cancers and organ failure (for example, liver and kidney). One’s psychological status may...
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...attacks * Physical/sexual assault * Sudden death of a loved one * Risk and resilience factors D. TREATMENTS * Cognitive processing therapy * Medication E. CONCLUSION Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, more commonly known as PTSD, is more common and serious then other people think, it is a disorder that can take over someone’s life and change them as a whole and occurs after experiencing severe trauma or a life-threatening event. It’s normal for the mind and body to be in shock after such an event, but this normal response becomes PTSD when your nervous system gets “stuck.” PTSD is very prevalent in military veterans. In fact, military service is the most common cause of PTSD in men. Close to 30 percent of Afghanistan and Iraq War veterans treated at V.A. hospitals and clinics have been diagnosed with PTSD. For veterans who saw combat, the numbers are even higher, up to 49%. 2 Identifying the signs and symptoms, knowing the causes, and learning about treatment options are the best ways to get a loved one to come out the other side a stronger person then before. There are many signs and symptoms when it comes to PTSD. The three major symptoms to take note of is people Re-experiencing the traumatic event, avoidance and numbing, and increased anxiety and emotional arousal. When it comes to the symptoms of re-experiencing the traumatic event this would include things such as flashbacks, nightmares, intense physical reactions, feelings of intense distress...
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...NUR471 | Homeless Veterans | A Vulnerable Population | | Tina Sampers | 4/29/12 | Description of the selected population The assumption that all veterans receive free health care and supported by the United States government is a sad misconception and unrealistic dream. Homeless veterans by definition are a group of individuals who have served in the United States military and do not have shelter, or home at night. The Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act offers a detailed definition of homeless to include no shelter as defined as nights spent in a car, abandoned building or on the streets, in a homeless shelter, transitional housing, or with family members or friends without paying rent (O'Toole, 2010). Vulnerable population risk factors Homeless veterans are a vulnerable population group by definition, because they are a subgroup of the population more likely to develop health problems or have worse problems from health problems due to exposures to risks not experienced by the rest of the population (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008, p. 712). According to the Veterans Affairs (VA), an estimated 194,000 veterans nationwide were homeless on any given night during the fiscal year 2005 (GAO, 2006, p.2). The VA admits it is difficult to obtain accurate numbers and fear the actual numbers are much higher (GAO, 2006, p.2). Researchers completed numerous studies to differentiate the health problems associated with homeless veterans compared to health...
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