Common Health Issues Veterans Face

FOR MANY OF THE COUNTRY'S 22 MILLION VETERANS, THE HARDEST FIGHT COMES AFTER THEIR SERVICE 3.4 million of the country's 22 million veterans have some type of disability that affects their daily activities. To make matters worse, 77% of veterans say the general public doesn't un- derstand the challenges they face. Let's change that. MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES • PTSD is linked to a number of other physical illnesses, including sleep apnea & dementia. • 30% of Vietnam War veterans & up to 20% of Iraq War veterans have PTSD. • Veterans with PTSD or Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) are more likely to die from drug overdoses or suicide. PHYSICAL INJURIES • 50% of deployed veterans report pain their backs, necks, knees, & joints. • Approximately 20% of all battlefield soldiers have experienced a TBI. In Iraq & Afghanistan, 50% of all injuries are brain injuries. • TBIS are linked to increased risk of chronic & neurological diseases. DISABILITIES • Exposure to nerve agents & toxic chemicals can cause long-term heart damage. • In 2012, 20% of veterans aged 18-64 reported having a service-connected disability. • 17% of veterans age 18-64 with disabilities live in poverty, which is 10% higher than the general population. cccc HEALTH ISSUES THAT WORSEN WITH AGE • Combat veterans experience more health problems - mainly due to exposure to battlefield noise, toxic chemicals, and physical strain. • Hearing loss is the most prevalent injury among returning veterans. pooo00db0000dar • Difficulties with balance, coordination, & cognition due to TBI increase with age. HOMELESSNESS An estimated 25% of the US homeless population are veterans; 50% are age 50 or older. 51% of homeless veterans have disabilities, 50% have serious mental illnesses, & 70% have substance abuse programs. 1.4 million veterans are considered at-risk for homelessness. VETERANS HAVE FOUGHT FOR US NOW LET'S FIGHT FOR THEM! An estimated 2.6 million veterans need housing renovations that will help them deal with their disabilities: ramps, hand- holds, low countertops, and more. The need is great and growing. By 2020, there will be 15 million veterans age 45 or older. That's why Bay Alarm Medical is proud to partner with Purple Heart Homes, an organization that provides personalized housing solutions for service connected disabled veterans and their families. Purple Heart Homes provides at little or no cost to the veteran a "quality of life solution" that creates an injury specific, barrier free-living environment. For every sale we get over May and June of 2014, we'll donate a portion of our profits to Purple Heart Homes to support their great work that allows our heroes to live with inde- pendence and dignity. Go to http://www.purplehearthomesusa.org/ to see what you can do to help. PURPLE D HEARTHOMES cccccccc