Veteran health in the U.S. - Statistics & Facts

In 2019, there were over 17 million military veterans in the United States. Physical health, mental health, and health care services are especially important for military veterans given the stressful and strenuous work that can be involved in such an occupation. In the United States, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), a subdivision of the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), is responsible for providing all forms of health care to veterans. As of 2020, just over 12 million people in the United States were insured by some form of military heath care. However, opinions regarding the VA vary and it is sometimes criticised for not providing adaquate care for a population that the U.S. governement and general population often praise. For example, a survey from 2021 found that around 35 percent of U.S. veterans felt health care from the VA was generally worse than what most Americans receive, while 34 percent felt it was about the same and only 21 percent felt it was generally better.

Common health conditions and risks among veterans

Those who have served in the military have been shown to be more prone to some specific health issues than those who have not served. A report published by the CDC in 2021 found that male veterans were more likely to report having multiple chronic health conditions than their nonveteran counterparts, with 30 percent of veterans aged 25 to 64 years reporting multiple chronic conditions compared to 18 percent of nonveterans. Chronic health conditions that male veterans were more likely to report suffering from included hypertension, arthritis, diabetes, cancer, and stroke. Another survey from a different source found that among Iraq and Afgahnistan veterans who had a service-related injury, 41 percent stated this injury always affected their daily life, while 30 percent stated their injury affected their daily life most of the time.

Mental health among veterans

Although physical injuries are often the first to come to mind when thinking about service-related injuries among veterans, some of the most common injuries and health problems reported by veterans during service after 9/11 include sleep problems, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. In fact a survey of veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound while serving in the military on or after September 11, 2001 found that almost 83 percent reported experiencing PTSD. Due to the intense nature of the work and the susceptibility of mental health problems such as PTSD and depression, suicide among veterans remains a serious and ongoing problem in the United States. However, a large share of veterans suffering from mental illness or substance use disorder do not receive the treatment they require.

This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.

Percentage of males in the U.S. aged 75 years and older that are veterans: 41.73%

Estimated number of unsheltered homeless veterans: 13,564

Percentage of veterans who rated their current overall health as excellent: 6%

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Percentage of U.S. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with prescribed selected medications for service-related injury as of 2021*

Pharmaceuticals

U.S. veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan taking selected medications 2021

Percentage of U.S. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who used tobacco products a select number of times per week as of 2021

State of Health

U.S. veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan tobacco use frequency as of 2021

Percentage of U.S. veterans who had a major depressive episode in the past year from 2017 to 2020, by age

Mental Health & Substance Abuse

Major depressive episodes among veterans in the U.S. 2017-2020, by age

Recommended statistics

Overview

Basic Statistic Percentage of U.S. population who are veterans 2022, by age and gender
Percentage of U.S. population who are veterans 2022, by age and gender
Percentage of U.S. population who are veterans in 2022, by age and gender
Basic Statistic U.S. veterans 2022, by period of military service
U.S. veterans 2022, by period of military service
Number of veterans in the United States in 2022, by period of military service
Premium Statistic Overall health of veterans before and after joining the military U.S. 2021
Overall health of veterans before and after joining the military U.S. 2021
Percentage of U.S. veterans who rated their overall health as good or excellent before and after joining the military in 2021
Basic Statistic U.S. veterans 2022, by disability status
U.S. veterans 2022, by disability status
Number of veterans in the United States in 2022, by service-connected disability status
Premium Statistic Service-related injuries among military veterans U.S. 2021
Service-related injuries among military veterans U.S. 2021
Distribution of injuries among U.S. military veterans with service-related injuries in the U.S. in 2021
Basic Statistic U.S. veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan service-related injury daily impacts as of 2021
U.S. veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan service-related injury daily impacts as of 2021
Percentage of U.S. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who had service-related injuries that affected their daily lives with select frequencies as of 2021
Premium Statistic Share of civilian veterans with service-connected disability by U.S. state 2021
Share of civilian veterans with service-connected disability by U.S. state 2021
Percentage of U.S. civilian veterans reporting a VA service-connected disability in 2021, by state or territory
Basic Statistic Multiple chronic conditions among U.S. women 2015-2018, by veteran status and age
Multiple chronic conditions among U.S. women 2015-2018, by veteran status and age
Percentage of women aged 25 and over in the United States with multiple chronic conditions from 2015 to 2018, by veteran status and age
Basic Statistic Multiple chronic conditions among U.S. adult men 2015-2018, by veteran status and age
Multiple chronic conditions among U.S. adult men 2015-2018, by veteran status and age
Percentage of men aged 25 and over in the United States with multiple chronic conditions from 2015 to 2018, by veteran status and age
Premium Statistic Special populations served by health centers in U.S. 2020
Special populations served by health centers in U.S. 2020
Number of special populations served by health centers in the U.S. in 2020

Health conditions and risks

Basic Statistic Share of U.S. WWP veterans with health issues during service since 9/11 as of 2022
Share of U.S. WWP veterans with health issues during service since 9/11 as of 2022
Share of U.S. veteran and active service members of the Wounded Warrior Project experiencing select injuries and health problems during military service after 9/11 as of 2022*
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. WWP veterans bothered by various problems as of 2022, by frequency
Share of U.S. WWP veterans bothered by various problems as of 2022, by frequency
Percentage of U.S. veterans and active service members of the Wounded Warrior Project bothered by various problems in the past two weeks as of 2022, by frequency*
Basic Statistic Select chronic conditions among U.S. women from 2015-2018, by veteran status
Select chronic conditions among U.S. women from 2015-2018, by veteran status
Percentage of women aged 25 to 64 years in the United States with select chronic conditions from 2015 to 2018, by veteran status
Basic Statistic Select chronic conditions among U.S. adult men from 2015-2018, by veteran status
Select chronic conditions among U.S. adult men from 2015-2018, by veteran status
Percentage of men aged 25 to 64 years in the United States with select chronic conditions from 2015 to 2018, by veteran status
Basic Statistic BMI distribution for U.S. veterans with the WWP 2018-2020, by weight category
BMI distribution for U.S. veterans with the WWP 2018-2020, by weight category
Percentage distribution of body mass index scores for U.S. veterans and active service members of the Wounded Warrior Project from 2018 to 2020, by weight status category*
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. women who were overweight or obese from 2015-2018, by veteran status
Share of U.S. women who were overweight or obese from 2015-2018, by veteran status
Percentage of women aged 25 and over in the United States who were overweight or obese from 2015 to 2018, by veteran status
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. men who were overweight or obese from 2015-2018, by veteran status
Share of U.S. men who were overweight or obese from 2015-2018, by veteran status
Percentage of men aged 25 and over in the United States who were overweight or obese from 2015 to 2018, by veteran status
Premium Statistic Major depressive episodes among veterans in the U.S. 2017-2020, by age
Major depressive episodes among veterans in the U.S. 2017-2020, by age
Percentage of U.S. veterans who had a major depressive episode in the past year from 2017 to 2020, by age
Basic Statistic Serious mental illness among veterans 26 to 49 years old in the U.S. 2008 and 2019
Serious mental illness among veterans 26 to 49 years old in the U.S. 2008 and 2019
Percentage of U.S. veterans who reported serious mental illness in the past year in 2008 and 2019*
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. veterans with the WWP experiencing PTSD since 9/11, 2017-2022
Share of U.S. veterans with the WWP experiencing PTSD since 9/11, 2017-2022
Share of U.S. veteran and active service members of the Wounded Warrior Project experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of military service after 9/11 from 2017 to 2022*
Premium Statistic U.S. veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan tobacco use frequency as of 2021
U.S. veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan tobacco use frequency as of 2021
Percentage of U.S. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who used tobacco products a select number of times per week as of 2021
Basic Statistic U.S. veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan with symptoms of toxic exposure 2021
U.S. veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan with symptoms of toxic exposure 2021
Percentage of U.S. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who had symptoms of associated with burn pits or toxic exposure as of 2021

Health care and treatment

Basic Statistic U.S. adults insured by military health care 1990-2022
U.S. adults insured by military health care 1990-2022
Number of people insured by military health care in the United States from 1990 to 2022 (in millions)*
Basic Statistic Percentage of U.S. Americans insured by military health care 1990-2022
Percentage of U.S. Americans insured by military health care 1990-2022
Percentage of people insured by military health care in the United States from 1990 to 2022
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. WWP veterans with health care coverage as of 2022, by type of coverage
Share of U.S. WWP veterans with health care coverage as of 2022, by type of coverage
Percentage of U.S. veteran and active service members of the Wounded Warrior Project with select types of health care coverage as of 2022*
Premium Statistic Resources for seeking care for veterans with a mental health injury U.S. 2021
Resources for seeking care for veterans with a mental health injury U.S. 2021
Leading resources for seeking care for veterans with a service-connected mental health injury in 2021
Basic Statistic Mental health facilities offering programs for specific client groups U.S. 2020
Mental health facilities offering programs for specific client groups U.S. 2020
Percentage of U.S. mental health facilities offering treatment programs for specific client groups in 2020
Basic Statistic Share of substance abuse treatment facilities in the U.S. with special programs 2020
Share of substance abuse treatment facilities in the U.S. with special programs 2020
Percentage of substance abuse treatment facilities in the U.S. with specifically tailored programs as of 2020
Basic Statistic Number of substance abuse treatment facilities in the U.S. by operation type 2020
Number of substance abuse treatment facilities in the U.S. by operation type 2020
Number of substance abuse treatment facilities in the U.S. as of 2020, by operation type
Basic Statistic Tools and resources used by U.S. WWP veterans for stress and mental health 2022
Tools and resources used by U.S. WWP veterans for stress and mental health 2022
Share of U.S. veterans and active service members of the Wounded Warrior Project who used select resources and tools for coping with stress, emotional challenges, or mental health concerns 2022*
Premium Statistic U.S. veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan taking selected medications 2021
U.S. veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan taking selected medications 2021
Percentage of U.S. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with prescribed selected medications for service-related injury as of 2021*
Premium Statistic U.S. veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan using supplemental/alternative therapies 2021
U.S. veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan using supplemental/alternative therapies 2021
Percentage of U.S. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans using selected supplemental/alternative therapies as of 2021*
Basic Statistic Treatment gap for mental health and substance use disorder among veterans U.S. 2021
Treatment gap for mental health and substance use disorder among veterans U.S. 2021
Percentage of U.S. veterans who did not receive treatment for mental illness or substance use disorder in the past year as of 2021
Basic Statistic U.S. government - outlays of the Department of Veterans Affairs 2000-2028
U.S. government - outlays of the Department of Veterans Affairs 2000-2028
Outlays of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in fiscal years 2000 to 2028 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Suicide

Basic Statistic Suicidal thoughts, plans, attempts among U.S. veterans 18-49 years old 2021
Suicidal thoughts, plans, attempts among U.S. veterans 18-49 years old 2021
Percentage of U.S. veterans who had serious thoughts, plans or attempts at suicide in the past year in 2021
Premium Statistic Co-occurrence of suicide and substance use among U.S. veterans in 2020
Co-occurrence of suicide and substance use among U.S. veterans in 2020
Percentage of U.S. veterans who had serious thoughts, plans or attempts of suicide in the past year as of 2020, by substance use disorder status
Basic Statistic Veterans who considered suicide before and after joining the military U.S. 2014-2021
Veterans who considered suicide before and after joining the military U.S. 2014-2021
Percentage of veterans who considered taking their own lives before and after joining the military in the U.S. from 2014 to 2021*
Premium Statistic Veterans who knew a veteran who attempted suicide U.S. from 2014 to 2021
Veterans who knew a veteran who attempted suicide U.S. from 2014 to 2021
Percentage of U.S. veterans who knew a post 9/11 veteran who had attempted suicide from 2014 to 2021*
Basic Statistic Share of suicides among U.S. veterans in 2020, by method and gender
Share of suicides among U.S. veterans in 2020, by method and gender
Distribution of veteran suicides in the U.S. in 2020, by method and gender

Substance abuse

Basic Statistic Co-occurrence of substance use and mental illness among U.S. veterans 2021
Co-occurrence of substance use and mental illness among U.S. veterans 2021
Percentage of U.S. veterans who used select substances in the past year as of 2021, by mental health status
Basic Statistic Illicit drug use among U.S. veterans in 2021, by substance
Illicit drug use among U.S. veterans in 2021, by substance
Percentage of U.S. veterans who used illicit drugs in the past year as of 2021, by substance
Basic Statistic Marijuana use among veterans in the U.S. from 2017 to 2020, by age
Marijuana use among veterans in the U.S. from 2017 to 2020, by age
Percentage of U.S. veterans who used marijuana in the past month from 2017 to 2020, by age group
Premium Statistic Prescription pain reliever misuse among veterans in the U.S. from 2017-2020, by age
Prescription pain reliever misuse among veterans in the U.S. from 2017-2020, by age
Percentage of U.S. veterans who reported prescription pain reliever misuse in the past year from 2017 to 2020, by age group
Basic Statistic Prescription opioid misuse among veterans in the U.S. in 2020, by type
Prescription opioid misuse among veterans in the U.S. in 2020, by type
Number of U.S. veterans who misused prescription opioids in the past year as of 2020, by opioid type
Premium Statistic Alcohol use disorder among veterans in the U.S. in 2021, by age
Alcohol use disorder among veterans in the U.S. in 2021, by age
Percentage of U.S. veterans who had alcohol use disorder in the past year in 2021, by age group
Basic Statistic Alcohol use among veterans in the U.S. from 2017-2020, by age
Alcohol use among veterans in the U.S. from 2017-2020, by age
Percentage of U.S. veterans who had used alcohol in the past month from 2017 to 2020 by age group
Basic Statistic U.S. veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan alcohol use as of 2021, by frequency
U.S. veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan alcohol use as of 2021, by frequency
Percentage of U.S. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who had used alcohol within the past year as of 2021, by frequency
Basic Statistic U.S. veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan number of alcoholic drinks consumed as of 2021
U.S. veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan number of alcoholic drinks consumed as of 2021
Percentage of U.S. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who consumed a select number of drinks during one day of alcohol consumption as of 2021

Opinions about the VA

Basic Statistic U.S. veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan VA health care satisfaction ratings in 2021
U.S. veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan VA health care satisfaction ratings in 2021
Percentage of U.S. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who rated their experiences with VA health care as excellent as of 2021
Basic Statistic U.S. veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan VA health provider satisfaction ratings in 2021
U.S. veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan VA health provider satisfaction ratings in 2021
Percentage of U.S. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who were satisfied with select VA health care providers as of 2021
Basic Statistic Quality ratings of health care provided by the VA in the U.S. as of 2021
Quality ratings of health care provided by the VA in the U.S. as of 2021
Percentage of U.S. veterans and military households who rated the quality of health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs as excellent as of 2021
Basic Statistic Views on VA health care compared to general health care in the U.S. as of 2021
Views on VA health care compared to general health care in the U.S. as of 2021
Percentage of U.S. veterans and military households who felt health care from the VA was better than what most Americans receive as of 2021
Basic Statistic Ease of obtaining medical care through the VA in the U.S. in 2021
Ease of obtaining medical care through the VA in the U.S. in 2021
Percentage of U.S. veterans and military households who thought it was easy to access medical care through the VA as of 2021
Basic Statistic Quality ratings of benefits and services provided by the VA in the U.S. 2021
Quality ratings of benefits and services provided by the VA in the U.S. 2021
Percentage of U.S. veterans and military households who rated the quality of benefits and services from the Department of Veterans Affairs as excellent as of 2021
Basic Statistic Opinions on wait times to obtain medical care at the VA in the U.S. in 2021
Opinions on wait times to obtain medical care at the VA in the U.S. in 2021
Percentage of veterans and military households who thought wait times to receive medical care at VA facilities were unreasonable as of 2021

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Key figures

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