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 […]
Humanitarian Aid/Disaster Relief (HA/DR) in the Australian Defence Force: Health aspects
N Westphalen Introduction This article follows previous papers by the author, regarding occupational and environmental medicine in the ADF.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 These papers, as well as a recent Productivity Commission inquiry,10 describe why high workplace illness and injury rates confirm the need to improve the management of hazards associated with ADF workplaces, with better emphasis on prevention. To this […]
Colonel Arthur Graham Butler’s ‘Allegiances’: Today’s ‘Military Health Service Missions’
N Westphalen Introduction This article follows previous papers by the author regarding occupational and environmental medicine in the ADF.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 These articles, as well as a 2019 Productivity Commission inquiry,11 explain why high workplace illness and injury rates confirm the need to improve the management of hazards associated with ADF workplaces, with better emphasis on prevention. To […]
Rehabilitation in the Australian Defence Force
Introduction This article follows previous papers by the author, regarding occupational and environmental medicine in the Australian Defence Force (ADF).1,2,3,4,5 They assert that high rates of workplace illness and injury indicate the need to improve the management of hazards associated with ADF workplaces, with better emphasis on prevention. This assertion has been independently supported by […]
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 […]