The Influence of Psychosocial Health on Military Performance: Fit for Service?
Abstract When considering military fitness, the focus must be on psychological and physiological ability and thus suitability for service, determinants which are themselves influenced by health. Health, especially in the military context, is the product of several factors (including psychosocial ones), as will be highlighted in the current study. The influence of psychosocial health and […]
Disability Reporting Among U.S. Immigrant Veterans: Findings and Implications
Abstract Background: This preliminary study offers the first health-related assessment of United States (US) immigrant veterans, who comprise a population of more than 500 000. It builds upon research showing that a number of variables relate to veterans’ health experiences, including race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Purpose: To assess levels of disability reporting among foreign-born […]
Combat, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Health of Australian Vietnam Veteran Conscripts and Volunteers in the Three Decades After Return
B O’Toole, K Pierse, B Friedrich, S Outram, M Dadds, S Catts Introduction Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam conflict from 1962 until troop withdrawal in 1972,1 placed Australians into longer periods of risk of contact with an enemy than at any time in Australia’s history since Gallipoli.2 The Australian Force Vietnam increased in size in […]
Paramedics in the Australian Defence Force – A Time for Change?
Paramedics in the Australian Defence Force – A Time for Change? Lauren D’Arcy Abstract Paramedic practice is rapidly changing due to the ongoing pressures on health care systems. Paramedics are increasingly being integrated into primary health care roles, initiating interventions on scene and autonomously making clinical judgements based on operational guidelines. Evolving professional standards have […]
Primary Health Care in the ADF
Commander Neil Westphalen, Royal Australian Navy Reserve Introduction This article follows a previous paper by the author regarding occupational and environmental medicine in the ADF.1 The previous paper asserts that high rates of preventable workplace illness and injury indicate the need to improve the management of the occupational and environmental hazards associated with ADF workplaces, […]
Serum Level of Nutritional Antioxidants are Decreased in Veteran Smokers with COPD
Corrine Hanson, Elizabeth Lyden, Lisa Weissenburger-Moser, Jeremy Furtado, Debra J. Romberger and Tricia D. LeVan Introduction Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and worldwide,1-4 resulting in an economic and social burden that is both substantial and increasing. Veterans are a group of people who are disproportionately […]
Inicidence rates for work health and safety incidents and injuries in Australian Army Reserve vs full time soldiers, and a comparison of reporting systems
Rodney Pope, Robin Orr ABSTRACT Objective: To determine incidence rates of reported work health and safety (WHS) incidents and injuries in Army Reserve (ARES) and Australian Regular Army (ARA) personnel and assess the relative performance of the WHS incident reporting system, compared to ‘point-of-care’ systems. Methods: WHS incident data for a 24-month period were extracted […]
Occupational and environmental health in the ADF
Commander Neil Westphalen Introduction ADF personnel are arguably exposed to the most diverse range of occupational and environmental hazards of any Australian workforce. Controlling these hazards is complicated not only by the number, size and complexity of ADF workplaces but also by its workforce demographics. ADF workplace hazards significantly impact the physical and mental health of current and ex-serving personnel. High rates of preventable […]
Transfusion requirements in 970 patients with gunshot wounds
J.E. Payne, H.J. Meyer, T.V. Berne Abstract During 1990-1991, data on a consecutive series of gunshot wound (GSW) patients admitted to the Los Angeles County – University of Southern California Medical Center were collected. The information was recorded by Trauma Nurse Coordinators and analysed with the SPSS Version 6.1 advanced statistical package. The volume of transfused […]
Hepatitis B vaccination in the Royal Australian Navy
Surgeon Lieutenant-Commander A.G Robertson RAN The Naval Health Services are responsible for the health care of all RAN personnel. The Naval Health Services1 mandate includes the provision of preventive as well as curative health services with a primary aim of ensuring that a high percentage of Naval personnel are fit for operational duties, especially for […]