Health impact of US military service in a large population-based military cohort: findings of the Millennium Cohort Study, 2001-2008

BMC Public Health

Correspondence

Isabel G Jacobson¹  James R Riddle¹  Cynthia A LeardMann¹  Timothy S Wells¹  Besa Smith¹  Tomoko I Hooper¹  Gregory C Gray¹  Edward J Boyko¹  Margaret AK Ryan¹  Gary D Gackstetter¹  Paul J Amoroso¹  Tyler C Smith¹ 

[1] Center for Deployment Health Research, Naval Health Research Center, 140 Sylvester Rd., 92106-3521, San Diego, CA, USA;

关键词: Military Service;    Service Member;    Combat Exposure;    Smallpox Vaccination;    Millennium Cohort Study;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2458-11-69

 received in 2010-04-29, accepted in 2011-01-31,  发布年份 2011

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundCombat-intense, lengthy, and multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan have characterized the new millennium. The US military's all-volunteer force has never been better trained and technologically equipped to engage enemy combatants in multiple theaters of operations. Nonetheless, concerns over potential lasting effects of deployment on long-term health continue to mount and are yet to be elucidated. This report outlines how findings from the first 7 years of the Millennium Cohort Study have helped to address health concerns related to military service including deployments.MethodsThe Millennium Cohort Study was designed in the late 1990s to address veteran and public concerns for the first time using prospectively collected health and behavioral data.ResultsOver 150 000 active-duty, reserve, and National Guard personnel from all service branches have enrolled, and more than 70% of the first 2 enrollment panels submitted at least 1 follow-up survey. Approximately half of the Cohort has deployed in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.ConclusionThe Millennium Cohort Study is providing prospective data that will guide public health policymakers for years to come by exploring associations between military exposures and important health outcomes. Strategic studies aim to identify, reduce, and prevent adverse health outcomes that may be associated with military service, including those related to deployment.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Smith et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2011