AbstractThe Veterans Health Care Amendment Act of 1979 (PL‐96‐22) Spawned the rapid development of a new program by the Veterans' Administration. Nationwide, about ninety Vet Center Programs are delivering service to the estimated 20 to 50 percent of Vietnam veterans who are continuing to suffer symptoms of post‐traumatic stress disorder. Development of this public health service in Appalachia presents many challenges: A high proportion of combat veterans are concentrated in rural areas where traditional mental health services are li