Health Literacy Month

October marks Health Literacy Month, a nationwide initiative dedicated to promoting the importance of understandable health information and communication. Established to raise awareness about the need for health information that people can understand and use to make informed decisions about their health and healthcare, this observance takes on special significance within military and veteran communities.

Health literacy encompasses more than just reading medical pamphlets or understanding prescription labels. It involves the ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. For military families and Veterans, this challenge becomes particularly complex due to unique healthcare systems, frequent relocations, deployment-related health issues, and the transition from military to civilian healthcare services.

The military and Veteran community faces distinct health literacy challenges that civilian populations may not encounter. Service members and their families navigate multiple healthcare systems throughout their careers, from military treatment facilities to TRICARE networks, and eventually to Veterans Affairs healthcare or civilian providers. Each system has its own terminology, procedures, and cultural norms that can create barriers to effective health communication.

Moreover, military culture often emphasizes resilience, strength, and self-reliance—values that, while admirable, can sometimes discourage open discussions about health concerns, particularly mental health issues. This cultural backdrop makes health literacy and effective healthcare conversations even more critical for ensuring the wellbeing of our military families and Veterans.

Essential Health Topics for Military and Veteran Families

Having meaningful healthcare conversations with military and Veteran loved ones means knowing which topics deserve attention. Many service members and Veterans have been conditioned to minimize health complaints, making it crucial for family members to understand what issues commonly affect this population and warrant discussion.

Mental health stands as perhaps the most critical yet challenging topic to address. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorders occur at higher rates among military personnel and Veterans. Family conversations should include recognition of symptoms, understanding that seeking mental health care demonstrates strength, and awareness of available resources through the VA, Military Family Life Counselors, and community organizations.

Sleep disorders frequently affect military families and Veterans but often go unaddressed. Discuss sleep patterns, nightmares, insomnia, and sleep apnea—conditions that may stem from shift work, deployment stress, or combat exposure. Sleep issues can significantly impact overall health and relationships, making them worthy of family attention and medical evaluation.

Physical Health Considerations Unique to Military Service

Musculoskeletal injuries deserve ongoing attention in military and Veteran families. Years of carrying heavy equipment, repetitive physical training, and combat activities often result in chronic back pain, joint problems, and repetitive stress injuries. Family discussions should address pain management, physical therapy options, and the importance of addressing these issues before they worsen.

Hearing loss represents one of the most common service-connected disabilities among Veterans. Exposure to loud equipment, weapons, and aircraft can cause significant hearing damage. Family members should discuss hearing difficulties they observe, encourage hearing evaluations, and understand how hearing loss affects communication and relationships within the family.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects many service members who experienced blast exposures or head trauma during deployment. Symptoms can include headaches, memory problems, concentration difficulties, and mood changes. These issues may emerge or worsen over time, making family awareness and ongoing discussions crucial for identifying when medical evaluation is needed.

Chemical exposure concerns should also be part of family health conversations. Many Veterans were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation, or other hazardous substances during their service. Understanding potential exposure history and discussing any related symptoms or health changes can help ensure appropriate medical screening and care.

Healthcare System Navigation and Benefits

Understanding and discussing healthcare benefits represents a crucial conversation topic for military and Veteran families. TRICARE options, VA healthcare enrollment, service-connected disability ratings, and the transition between military and Veteran healthcare systems can be complex and confusing. Family conversations should include reviewing available benefits, understanding coverage options, and ensuring all eligible family members are properly enrolled.

Preventive care often gets overlooked in military and Veteran populations focused on addressing immediate health concerns. Discussions should emphasize the importance of routine physical exams, cancer screenings, dental care, and eye exams. Veterans may be eligible for specific screenings related to their service, such as hepatitis C testing or Agent Orange-related cancer screenings.

Military Sexual Trauma (MST) affects both male and female service members and requires sensitive family awareness. While not all families will need to address this topic directly, understanding that MST-related healthcare and counseling services are available through the VA can be important for those who experienced trauma during their service.

Substance use concerns deserve attention in military and Veteran families. Higher rates of alcohol use disorder and prescription drug misuse occur in this population, often as coping mechanisms for untreated mental health conditions or chronic pain. Family discussions should address changes in drinking patterns, prescription medication use, and available treatment resources.

Health Literacy Month reminds us that understanding health topics and available resources is crucial for making informed healthcare decisions. For military and Veteran families, knowing what health issues to discuss and address can literally be life-saving. By maintaining awareness of service-related health concerns, understanding available benefits and resources, and keeping communication channels open about health topics, families can help ensure that those who have served our country receive the healthcare support they need and deserve.