Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Suicide Rate In Female Veterans Has Spiked 85% Since 2001
The suicide rate among veterans has surged 35 percent since 2001, driven in part by sharp increases among those who have served since 2001, according to the largest study of such suicides. Of particular concern is the suicide rate among women, which has increased 85 percent in that time. The Department of Veterans Affairs released key findings Thursday of a recently completed study examining the death records of more than 55 million veterans from 1979 to 2014 from every state. (Philipps, 7/7)
In other news, veterans are the center of attention in the 2016 election, but many aren't sure who the right candidate is —
Traditionally, veterans vote Republican — they did overwhelmingly in 2004, 2008, and 2012 — but little has been traditional about this presidential contest. Now, under the enlarged spotlight of a presidential campaign, local veterans are trying to figure out who will get their vote in a contest in which polls show neither candidate is well liked or thought of as a good commander in chief. ... Still, a recent Morning Consult poll showed veterans and their families largely back Trump, with 47 percent saying they support the likely Republican nominee, compared with 38 percent who favor Clinton. About 14 percent of the 1,668 military voters polled remain undecided, according to the May survey. (Johnson, 7/8)
