Articles: disease.
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To this date, there is little known about the symptoms, their duration, and occupational implications of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the military population. Decisions regarding implementing precaution measures are based on data deriving from the general population. Moreover, the Omicron variant seems to cause a disease with lesser severity than previous variants. We aimed to describe the clinical presentation and estimate the loss of workdays due to mild COVID-19 during an Omicron predominant wave among a young, healthy, and mostly vaccinated military population. ⋯ Our findings demonstrate that even among a young and fully vaccinated population, COVID-19 caused by the Omicron variant may result in substantial medical leave from military service, compared to common cold or influenza virus infection. Our study sample was relatively small; however, the response rate was high and our results shed light on the yet-to-be fully characterized Omicron variant-related COVID-19. Despite the current common perception of COVID-19 as a self-limiting mild disease with low burden of symptoms, our findings show the potential occupational burden of infection with COVID-19 on military units and their readiness and could be considered when discussing public health restrictions and further steps taken to minimize outbreaks ramifications.
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Cholera remains a significant public health threat for many countries, and the severity largely varies by the population and local conditions that drive disease spread, especially in endemic areas prone to natural disasters and flooding. Epidemiological models can provide useful information to military planners for understanding disease spread within populations and the effectiveness of response options for preventing the transmission among deployed and stationed personnel. This study demonstrates the use of epidemiological modeling to understand the dynamics of cholera transmission to inform emergency planning and military preparedness in areas with highly communicable diseases. ⋯ We modeled the notional re-emergence and spread of cholera following the August 2021 earthquake in Haiti while in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic. This information can help guide military and emergency response decision-making during an infectious disease outbreak and considerations for protecting military personnel in the midst of a humanitarian response. Military planners should consider the use of epidemiological models to assess the health risk posed to deployed and stationed personnel in high-risk areas.
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Active duty flight crew plays a critical role in military operations. The occupational demands of the flying environment require a certain level of medical suitability. Additionally, such an environment could be more hazardous for certain populations. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the World Health Organization strongly support exclusive breastfeeding for the health benefit of both the mother and the child in the first 6 months of life, the aeromedical implications of lactating are not widely discussed. Breastfeeding is inherently challenging for many women, in part because of the frequent emptying required to maintain breastmilk supply and avoid complications such as engorgement, clogged ducts, and mastitis. This pilot study evaluated the experiences of individuals concurrently breastfeeding while on active duty Naval flying status to (1) assess whether these individuals experience frequent challenges or complications associated with lactating and (2) establish the need for future expanded studies. ⋯ This study hypothesizes that occupational demands associated with aviation result in a decreased ability to maintain exclusive breastfeeding, an increased risk for engorgement and clogged ducts, and a higher likelihood of early weaning among Naval aviators. It included only the perspectives of Naval officers, thereby lacking the input of enlisted aircrew on flight status, who comprise a large population of active duty flyers. The responses, although limited by a lack of controls and survey limitations, indicate that a future study to expand understanding of the aeromedical implications on lactating individuals would be valuable for improving workplace support and the ultimate success of lactating women in meeting their breastfeeding goals.
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The use of electronic health (eHealth) tools has the potential to support the overall health, wellness, fitness status, and ability to deploy worldwide of active duty service members (SMs). Additionally, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic forced healthcare organizations to quickly convert to virtual care settings to decrease face-to-face interactions and increase access to healthcare using technology. The shift to virtual care and the push to increase use of eHealth tools heightened the need to understand how military members interact with eHealth tools. Little is known about the factors that influence SMs use of eHealth tools and if having a health condition increases or decreases use. To evaluate these factors, we completed a cross-sectional, retrospective analysis on a sample of 198,388 active duty SMs aged 18 to 68 years. ⋯ Our findings support top military initiatives to improve the overall health, wellness, and readiness of SMs while decreasing the MHS's overall cost of care while providing a foundation to compare "pre" and "post" pandemic eHealth behaviors. It is essential to note that SMs are more likely to use a patient portal to seek information or manage family member health. This key factor identifies the significance of family health promotion and readiness in the active duty SM's life. The long-term goal of our study is to build the foundation for delivering tailored health information and eHealth tools to promote health and readiness-centric patient engagement.
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Nearly a billion dollars is spent annually in the Military Health System (MHS) on cancer diagnosis and treatment, with a large portion of that directed toward breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers. Multiple studies have demonstrated the impact of specific cancers on MHS beneficiaries and Veterans, highlighting the fact that active duty and retired military members have a higher incidence than the general public for many chronic diseases and certain forms of cancer. The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs have supported research that has contributed to the development, clinical testing, and commercialization of 11 cancer drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat breast, prostate, or ovarian cancers. In addition to hallmark funding mechanisms that prioritize innovative, groundbreaking ideas, the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program's cancer programs continue to identify new approaches to fill critical gaps across the full research spectrum, including bridging the translational research gap toward developing new treatments for cancer patients in the MHS and in the general American public.