Research Papers
The changing landscape of military medical malpractice: from the Feres Doctrine to present
During surgery at Johns Hopkins, a 30-inch by 18-inch surgical towel bearing the legend “Medical Department U.S. Army” was discovered in his abdomen and removed. The civil suit that ensued alleged that the towel was left in his abdomen as a result of negligence during his surgery … the court held that as a matter of law, the United States government could not be held liable.
Sudden Cardiac Death in Young Military Recruits:
Sudden unexpected death is always tragic, but especially so when it occurs in soldiers. Death in combat is devastating, but it is an inherent risk of an occupation that calls for individuals to put their life at risk for others. Sudden cardiac death during basic military training should raise concern because it implies failures at many levels.
Sudden death in young adults: a 25-year review of autopsies in military recruits
Sudden death among military recruits is a rare but devastating occurrence. Because extensive medical data are available on this cross-sectional and diverse population, identification of the underlying causes of sudden death may promote health care policy to reduce the incidence of sudden death.
Causes of sudden death in young female military recruits
This study sought to examine the incidence of sudden death in a large, multi-ethnic cohort of young women. Approximately 852,300 women entered basic military training from 1977 to 2001. During this period, there were 15 sudden deaths in female recruits …
Sudden Cardiac Death in Air Force Recruits A 20-Year Review
We reviewed the clinical and autopsy records of the 19 sudden cardiac deaths that occurred among the 1 606 167 US Air Force healthy, medically screened recruits (90% male; 17 to 28 years old) during a 42-day basic training period between 1965 and 1985.
Mortality Basics During U.S. Armed Forces Basic Training: A 25-Year Review (1977-2001)
Efforts to understand and prevent the rare, but tragic, occurrence of death among healthy, young military recruits trying to serve their country depend upon medical surveillance data and accurate determination of mortality rates by specific cause.
Exertional sickling deaths in Army recruits with sickle cell trait
Exertional sickling from sickle cell trait (SCT) can pose a grave risk for some military recruits … we report the cases of two U.S. Army recruits who collapsed and soon died from metabolic complications of exertional sickling as they struggled to finish in time the 2-mile run of the Army Physical Fitness Test…
Sickle Cell Trait, Rhabdomyolysis, and Mortality among U.S. Army Soldiers
Studies have suggested that sickle cell trait elevates the risks of exertional rhabdomyolysis and death. We conducted a study of sickle cell trait in relation to these outcomes, controlling for known risk factors.
Sickle Cell Trait and Sudden Death
Sickle cell trait has long been considered a benign condition but continues to be the leading cause of death in young African Americans in military basic training and civilian organized sports.
Discharges during U.S. Army Basic Training: Injury Rates and Risk Factors
This study examined injury rates and risk factors for discharge in a cohort of 756 men and 474 women in U.S. Army basic combat training (BCT) at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
A prospective field study of U.S. Army trainees to identify the physiological bases and key factors influencing musculoskeletal injuries: a study protocol
Musculoskeletal injuries (MSKIs) are common in military trainees and present a considerable threat to occupational fitness, deployability, and overall military readiness. Despite the negative effects of MSKIs on military readiness, comprehensive evaluations of the key known and possible risk factors for MSKIs are lacking.
Mortality During U.S. Armed Forces Basic Training. A 25 Year Review 1977 to 2001
Efforts to understand and prevent the rare, but tragic, occurrence of death among healthy, young military recruits trying to serve their country depend upon medical surveillance data and accurate determination of mortality rates by specific cause.
U.S. Navy and Marine Corps recruit training deaths in San Diego, California, 1973-1985
The deaths of military recruits associated with training activities nearly always fall under close scrutiny from relatives of the deceased recruit and the media. The literature contains isolated case reports of recruit deaths but no comprehensive reviews of all deaths at a single training facility.
Epidemic Streptococcal Disease among Army Trainees, July 1989 through June 1991
Outbreaks of group A streptococcal infection occurred at four of seven US Army basic training installations between 1 July 1989 and 30 June 1991. Study data were collected through a respiratory disease surveillance program and on-site epidemiologic investigations.