Kelsey talks with Doug Schroer, DNP, with American Health Network in Hilliard, as he shares his knowledge about the top health concerns for veterans and what they should do to stay healthy. He also discusses the physical and mental health challenges and injuries that may afflict veterans; fitness routines, recovery techniques and optimal diets that can lead to better health; and raise awareness of some veterans’ experience living with PTSD.
Veteran’s Day is Tuesday, November 11, 2025, a time to express our gratitude to the women and men who have proudly served in the military to preserve our freedoms. Health care providers want to remind veterans that help is available for their unique, and sometimes challenging, physical and mental health needs.
Each year, approximately 200,000 leave active duty. After leaving the service veterans can face a myriad of health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), other mental health challenges, the effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI), musculoskeletal injuries, and illnesses due to the nature of physical and mental demands of the career.
According to the 2020 National Survey On Drug Use and Health: Veterans, Veterans aged 18 or older with any mental illness had significantly higher rates of illicit drug, marijuana, and opioid use in prior years than veterans without mental illness. Additionally, veterans aged 18 or older with a substance use disorder (SUD) had higher rates of serious thoughts of suicide over the past few years than veterans who did not have a SUD.
Despite these challenges, there are practices and steps veterans – and those who care about them – can take to help anticipate, prevent or manage a health problem. Some recommendations to help veterans live healthier lives include receiving proper health screenings and immunizations, learning how to manage stress and safely participate in physical activity.