Heart and Armor funds scientific research to get to the root of veterans mental health problems, and develop better treatments and preventions for the most pressing issues facing the veteran community.

EXAMPLES OF PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED (references below)

• 1 in 5 veterans are projected to return from military service with PTSD

• Nearly 90% of veterans with PTSD are not connected to evidence-based care.

• Untreated PTSD is associated with a wide range of long-term physical disorders, from chronic pain to heart problems to dementia.

• PTSD research has largely focused on male patients, which is problematic for a new generation of female veterans needing treatments

• Race-based disparities in mental health outcomes are observable but poorly understood in vets

BUILDING SOLUTIONS

Our research projects have lead to insights and discoveries to help care providers provide more effective and personalized care for veterans. Our work has generated 25 peer-reviewed publications (Link to 2.3) and over $10 million in federal grants on topics relevant to veterans with PTSD, women veterans, and underserved demographics within the veteran population. Thus far, we have generated discoveries such as:

• Specific ways exercise can be used as medicine for PTSD

• How the brain changes associated with traumatic stress

• Links between disordered eating and traumatic stress

• Interactions between infertility and PTSD

• Connections between cardiovascular health and PTSD

• Disparities in treatment outcomes based on race

Science is on the brink of major breakthroughs to help veterans heal and thrive. We are expanding our support in relevant and emerging science to accelerate those discoveries. Our results will always be public and accessible to military medical care providers worldwide at no cost.