Citation

Warha D, Webb T, Wells T. Mil. Med. 2009; 174(9): 892-898.

Affiliation

Human Effectiveness Directorate, 2800 Q Street, Bldg. 824, Rm. 206, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

19780363

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To study the illness and injury risk and healthcare utilization of male U.S. Air Force (USAF) battlefield airmen in comparison to male USAF security forces. METHODS: Using data in electronic format, battlefield airmen (n = 2,089) and security forces personnel (n = 19,416) were identified and matched to data from the Military Health System, with analyses conducted to explore hospitalization risks and healthcare utilization differences. RESULTS: Battlefield airmen were at an increased risk for hospitalizations for illnesses (HR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.03, 1.77), musculoskeletal conditions (HR = 2.28, 95% CI 1.47, 3.52), and injuries (HR = 3.34, 95% CI 2.38, 4.69) compared with security forces. Differences in the mean number of hospitalization days per person and mean outpatient medical costs also existed across the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Battlefield airmen are significantly more likely to be hospitalized for a number of illnesses and injuries in comparison to security forces. A surveillance study has been implemented to further explore these findings.

Language: en