The Wounded Warrior Project has released the latest results of its annual survey. More than 21,000 wounded veterans were surveyed, the largest sample size of service members injured since Sept. 11, 2001.

The two most common problems veterans reported in accessing physical and mental health care were difficulty in scheduling appointments and lapsed or inconsistent treatment because of canceled appointments and switches in providers, the survey found. The answers did not apply solely to Veterans Affairs care.

Some other key findings:

• The top five reported injuries and health problems experienced during post-9/11 service were: sleep conditions (75.8 percent); post-traumatic stress disorder (75.2 percent); back, neck and shoulder problems (72.3 percent); depression (67.1 percent), and anxiety (64.2 percent).

• Four out of five wounded service members have a friend who was seriously wounded or killed in action.

• Nearly 75 percent report that the memory of an upsetting military experience has haunted them in the past month.

• 59.2 percent say talking with another veteran is in their top five ways for coping with stress.

• Three out of four have less than a bachelor's degree.

• The unemployment rate for respondents in the labor force is 13.9 percent.

• 43.2 percent report having a traumatic brain injury.

• Three out of 10 need the aid and attendance of another person because of their injuries and health problems; among them, more than one-fourth need more than 40 hours of aid per week.

• As a result of their injuries, 7 percent are permanently housebound.

• 82.3 percent are overweight or obese.

This is the fifth consecutive year the project has conducted this research. The project, headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., raises awareness of the needs of injured service members and their families. It serves over 56,000 service members and nearly 8,000 family members through its 20 programs and services.

Mark Brunswick • 612-673-4434