Report on Traumatic Brain Injury Research and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

This report analyzes research findings concerning the relationship between Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and psychological resilience. The findings are contextualized within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a primary focus on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and its relevance to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Context: Military Health and Global Development Objectives

Research conducted by the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) addresses the complex health challenges faced by service members, a population integral to the functioning of institutions central to SDG 16. The study of TBI and PTSD directly supports the achievement of SDG 3, Target 3.4, which aims to promote mental health and well-being. Understanding the precursors to and mitigating factors for these conditions is essential for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Analysis of Research Findings in the Context of SDG 3

A 2018 study involving 165 service members with concussions provides critical data for enhancing health outcomes. The research highlights the influence of pre-service life experiences on post-injury recovery, offering a pathway to more targeted and effective healthcare interventions aligned with SDG 3.

Key Determinants of Health and Well-being

The study identified several factors that significantly impact recovery from TBI and the manifestation of post-traumatic stress symptoms. These factors are crucial for developing holistic health strategies.

• Resilience and Positive Attitudes: The research established an inverse association between resilience and the reporting of concussion and traumatic stress symptoms. This finding underscores the importance of fostering psychological resilience as a preventative measure to safeguard well-being, a core component of SDG 3.
• History of Adversity: A greater number of prior traumatic life experiences was found to correlate with more severe concussion symptoms. This effect was independent of resilience, identifying prior trauma as a distinct risk factor. Addressing this requires a life-course approach to health, recognizing that past events impact present well-being.
• Social Support Systems: A separate survey of 326 service members demonstrated that robust social support networks, characterized by consistent interaction with friends and family, served as a protective factor against concussion symptoms. This aligns with the broader social determinants of health recognized as vital for achieving SDG 3.

Strategic Recommendations for Achieving Health-Related SDGs

The research findings translate into actionable recommendations for healthcare providers and institutions. Implementing these strategies can advance progress toward global health targets, particularly within specialized populations such as the military.

Enhancing Healthcare Interventions (Target 3.4)

To better promote mental health and well-being and improve treatment for TBI and PTSD, the following steps are recommended:

1. Implement Comprehensive Screening: Screen service members for histories of trauma to identify individuals at higher risk for developing persistent post-concussion symptoms. This proactive approach supports the preventative aspect of SDG 3.
2. Integrate Resilience-Building Programs: Develop and incorporate interventions focused on promoting resilience and positive coping mechanisms as a standard component of care for individuals with a history of TBI.
3. Foster and Leverage Social Support: Actively promote and facilitate the development of strong social support networks as part of a comprehensive intervention plan, recognizing social connectedness as a critical pillar of health and well-being.

SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • The article focuses extensively on the health of service members, specifically addressing traumatic brain injury (TBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and overall mental health. It explores factors like resilience and social support that contribute to well-being and recovery from these conditions. The research discussed aims to improve healthcare interventions for this population.

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • The article references trauma resulting from “combat situations, assaults and motor vehicle crashes” and “seeing someone hurt or die.” These are direct consequences of violence and conflict, which SDG 16 aims to reduce. The study of PTSD and TBI in service members is intrinsically linked to the human cost of conflict and violence.

Specific Targets Identified Based on the Article’s Content

1. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

   • The article directly addresses the promotion of mental health and well-being by investigating the relationship between TBI, PTSD, resilience, and social support. The research findings are intended to help “military health care providers understand and treat service members,” which aligns with the treatment and promotion aspects of this target.

2. Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services…

   • The article discusses the work of the Defense Health Agency and the development of “a comprehensive intervention plan for those with a history of TBI.” This points to efforts to provide quality, specialized healthcare services to a specific population (service members), which is a core component of this target.

3. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

   • The article’s context is the health consequences of violence. It identifies causes of trauma such as “combat situations” and “assaults.” By studying the impact of these violent and traumatic events on individuals, the article highlights the importance of addressing the root causes, which is the goal of Target 16.1. The research on treating trauma is a response to the failure to prevent this violence.

Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

1. Prevalence and severity of concussion and PTSD symptoms.

   • The article explicitly mentions measuring “symptoms from concussion and traumatic stress.” The study identified that individuals with more past adversity “reported greater concussion symptoms.” This serves as a direct indicator to measure the burden of these conditions and the effectiveness of interventions.

2. Levels of resilience and social support.

   • The research found that “resilience, or ‘positive attitudes,’ were inversely associated with whether an individual reported symptoms” and that “consistent weekly interactions with friends and family – appeared to protect service members from concussion symptoms.” Therefore, measuring the levels of resilience and the strength of social support networks are implied indicators of well-being and recovery potential.

3. Proportion of at-risk individuals receiving targeted screening and intervention.

   • The article concludes by recommending “Screening for prior trauma” to identify those at greater risk and implementing interventions that “promote resilience and social support.” An implied indicator of progress would be the rate at which military healthcare providers adopt these screening practices and comprehensive intervention plans for service members with a history of TBI.

4. Number of individuals reporting exposure to past trauma.

   • The study collected data on “past trauma,” including experiences like “really bad accidents, seeing someone hurt or die, or some other sudden event that was scary or horrific.” The number of people reporting such experiences is a direct indicator of the prevalence of exposure to violence and traumatic events, which Target 16.1 seeks to reduce.

SDGs, Targets and Indicators Analysis

Source: health.mil