Evidence-based recommendations to help Valley veterans live their healthiest lives

Dr. Michael Kleven

Submitted photo/Optum – Arizona

If You Need Help

To reach a trained crisis counselor, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273- 8255). You may also chat at 988.lifeline.org. Veteran’s Crisis Line 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and Press 1 offers live, trained responders to speak with by phone, text (Text 838255), or by online chat. The free resource is confidential, available 24/7, and is run by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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OPINION — Veterans Day is a time to express our gratitude to the women and men who have proudly served in the military to preserve our freedoms. For many, the holiday can mean a parade or celebration, but for millions of veterans it can be another day struggling with a serious health issue tied to their service.

Each year, approximately 200,000 service members leave active duty. After leaving the service, many veterans face a myriad of health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, other mental health challenges, the effects of traumatic brain injury, musculoskeletal injuries and illnesses due to the physical and mental demands of the career.

Veteran health issues can be complex and are driven by many factors including age, race, gender, if the veteran saw combat or not, the geographic location where the veteran served and the conflict itself.

Veteran statistics on PTSD vary based on the era in which the veteran may have served. At some point throughout their life, 7% of veterans will have PTSD, affecting female veterans slightly more than male veterans.

A veteran’s health profile is unique. Working as a team with the individual, a health care provider can devise a strategy to meet their patient’s health needs. To help veterans live their best lives and improve their health in addition to needed medical and psychological care, it is important to take an approach of healthy living practices and prevention.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers the following evidence-based recommendations:

• Getting high-quality sleep each night and seek help for sleep difficulties

• Keeping your recommended screenings and immunizations up to date

• Being active in your health care and working with your healthcare team to meet your specific needs

• Managing stress

• Cutting out tobacco use

• Limiting alcohol use

• Taking measures to protect yourself and family from harm and injury, including self-harm or domestic abuse

• Maintaining a healthy weight and eating right

• Staying physically active

As we honor Americans who answered the call to serve, let’s remind them that help is out there whether their wounds are physical, in the form of mental health challenges or both. If you are a veteran or take care of someone who served, it’s important to take an active role in your health with your health care provider.

Dr. Michael Kleven is a primary care physician practicing in Glendale. He lives in Peoria. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to azopinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.