Wounded Warrior Project Reveals 8th Annual Survey Findings

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Nov. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For the past eight years, Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) has surveyed wounded veterans registered with the organization. The annual polling represents the largest and most comprehensive annual survey conducted by a veterans service organization. It provides valuable insights into the lives of more than 100,000 men and women who were wounded serving our nation and now are served by WWP. The data – including topics such as injuries, challenges, unemployment, health care choices, and successes – helps determine the needs of today's generation of wounded warriors.

Results in this year's survey, completed by more than 34,000 veterans, show more injured veterans are trusting the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for health care concerns. More warriors are also gainfully employed than in past years. However, there are significant challenges these men and women face. Among them (as reported in the survey):

• 77% report post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as their main health challenge (up slightly from 2016).
• 87% are considered overweight or obese (86% in 2016).
• 58% have a VA rating of at least 80% (54% in 2016).

WWP uses these results to shape its programs and services. Because living with PTSD symptoms has remained a top challenge for veterans, WWP launched Warrior Care Network^® two years ago. The innovative partnership with four top academic medical centers and VA provides world-class mental health care to treat PTSD and TBI. Warrior Care Network provides more than 70 hours of clinical treatment in specially designed two- to three-week outpatient programs.

The survey also shows significant success stories:

• The unemployment rate of non-active duty warriors improved to 13% (greater than 16% in 2016).
• 1 in 3 (33%) warriors have earned a bachelor's degree or better (30% in 2016).
• 88% of warriors are receiving VA benefits (85% in 2016).
• 80% of warriors say social engagement/support led to them registering with WWP.

See the full survey at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/survey. To learn more about how WWP's programs and services connect, serve, and empower wounded warriors, visit https://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org, and click on multimedia.

About Wounded Warrior Project
Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) connects, serves, and empowers wounded warriors. Read more at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/mission.

SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project