Skip to main content

Informing the Future Critical Issues in Health, Third Edition (2005) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

Protecting the Health of Those Who Protect the Nation
Pages 49-58

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 49...
... points to problems that include fragmentation of responsibility and authority, changing strategies that resulted in lost time and expertise, and a lack of financial commitment adequate to meet the requirements of the program's goals. The report's recommendations include making the program to develop medical countermeasures a truly high priority, creating a Medical Biodefense Agency within the Office of the Secretary of Defense to lead the program, and establishing external oversight and accountability for program performance.
Read the entire page →
From page 50...
... The report identifies a number of promising biomarkers for predicting health deterioration (for example, muscle fatigue, dehydration, and impairments of renal function, cognitive function, and stress and immune responses) ; describes technologies for monitoring metabolic status under field conditions; and reviews analytical techniques, or algorithms, for interpreting the data.
Read the entire page →
From page 51...
... reviews the unique circumstances of soldiers deployed in such operations and provides recommendations for designing rations that contain all of the essential nutrients and food components needed to sustain physical and mental performance while minimizing adverse health consequences.
Read the entire page →
From page 52...
... Weight Management: State of the Science and Opportunities for Military Programs (2003) reviews the scientific evidence on factors that influence body weight and the role of gender, age, and ethnicity in weight management, and it recommends optimal components for weight loss and weight management programs that can be used across the services.
Read the entire page →
From page 53...
... At the request of Congress, the IOM has conducted a series of studies examining the scientific and medical literature on the potential health effects of a variety of biological and chemical agents to which military personnel may have been exposed during the war. The first volume in the Gulf War and Health series, published in 2000, reviewed health effects related to exposure to depleted uranium, the chemical-warfare agent sarin, pyridostigmine bromide, and anthrax and botulinum toxoid vaccines.
Read the entire page →
From page 54...
... The Committee on Gulf War and Health: Infectious Diseases is reviewing the literature regarding possible associations between deployment and infectious diseases, including shigellosis, leishmaniasis, sandfly fever, and diseases caused by pathogenic Escherichia coli bacteria. In addition, the Committee on Gulf War and Health: Physiologic, Psychologic, and Psychosocial Effects of Deployment-Related Stress is examining the possible long-term health effects associated with the physiological, psychological, and psychosocial 54
Read the entire page →
From page 55...
... There is limited or suggestive evidence of an association with respiratory cancers, prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, early-onset transient peripheral neuropathy, porphyria cutanea tarda, type 2 diabetes, and spina bifida in offspring of exposed individuals. The evidence is considered limited because the influences of chance, bias, and confounding -- three factors that affect the confidence that can be placed in the results of epidemiologic studies -- cannot be ruled out.
Read the entire page →
From page 56...
... The IOM's Medical Follow-Up Agency, established shortly after World War II, conducts epidemiological studies involving original research on the health and well-being of military personnel following their terms of service. For these studies, the agency obtains and analyzes military records and other health outcome data and often collaborates with researchers from academic centers and federal agencies.
Read the entire page →
From page 57...
... 239-245. Page, W.F., The NAS-NRC Twin Registry of WWII military veteran twins, Twin Research, Vol.
Read the entire page →

Key Terms

  • military personnel
  • war veterans
  • combustion products
  • effects associated
  • korean war

  • military operations
  • persian gulf
  • chemical warfare
  • medical countermeasures
  • combat operations

  • scientific evidence
  • warfare agents
  • body weight
  • metabolic status
  • military service

  • health series
  • health status
  • war navy
  • body lean
  • neurological effects

  • evidence remains
  • physical performance
  • reviews analytical
  • active duty
  • remains insufficient

  • promising biomarkers
  • lean mass
  • develop medical
  • mortality survey
  • weight management


    • This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
    More information on Chapter Skim is available.