MHS Vital Signs December 2010

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As our world becomes increasingly globalized, so does our

Military Health System. Our service members are deployed

around the world and are affected by a broad spectrum of

potential health challenges. In addition, the United States plays

a prominent role in humanitarian response efforts, and in

reconstruction activities that promote international stability.

To address the diversity of needs worldwide, the MHS works

with other U.S. agencies, non-governmental, international, and partner nation organizations not only

to provide assistance when needed, but also to provide global partners with the capability and

capacity to provide for their own national security. Using tools like the Air Force International Health

Specialist program, Army Civil Affairs medical teams and the Navys hospital ship missions, the MHS

establishes, sustains and expands our own capabilities while working in global partnerships that

ultimately enhance the security of our allies.

This year the Department of Defenses International Health Division, part of the Office of Force Health

Protection and Readiness, put into place a groundbreaking new policy emphasizing the importance of

international medical missions conducted by the military. The new policy assigned responsibilities

and instructions for the militarys medical support to international stability operations. Ultimately,

this will enhance the DoDs capabilities to respond quickly and efficiently when needed, and better

prepare MHS personnel to play pivotal roles across the full spectrum of medical stability operations.

Welcome

Jim Fike, Col, USAF, MC, FS; Liaison to

OASD-HA; USAF International Health Special-ist Program (Courtesy of FHP&R)

In This Issue

Global Health Engagement

Joint Disaster Response Training

Faster Ways to Report Mild TBI

Defense Health Assets Impact the World

TRICARE - Here for the Holidays

Navy Surgeon General on HIV/AIDS

Mental Health Care for Military Children

Issue 21, December 2010

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This month, as the MHS focuses its attention on global health engagement we recognize the

important role medical aid and improving medical capacities globally plays in international stability.

Global health engagement is a key element of developing and enhancing partnership capabilities to

secure a safer future for us all.

Enjoy this issue of Vital Signs!

Jim Fike, Col, USAF, MC, FS

Liaison to OASD-HA

USAF International Health Specialist Program

During December, the Military Health System recognizes

year-round efforts to deliver quality health care in cities,

villages and remote regions that span the globe. The type of

services MHS provides also covers a lot of territory, including;

responding to the scene of disasters, providing direct health

care in underdeveloped nations, mentoring host country military medical personnel, rebuilding critical

health infrastructure and supporting research to fight disease.

Continue reading at http://bit.ly/iatpvh

Global Health Engagement Month

As part of an ongoing outreach effort to better prepare Military

Health System personnel to plan and carry out global medical

humanitarian relief missions in a collaborative approach with

their civilian counterparts, FHP&R's International Health Division

worked with the U.S. Agency for International Development tohelp deliver a joint disaster response course during the 116th

Annual Meeting of the Society of the Federal Health Agencies.

Continue reading at http://bit.ly/csJECd

MHS Leads Training Course for JointDisaster Response

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FHP&Rs International Health Division worked

with the U.S. Agency for InternationalDevelopment recently to help deliver a jointdisaster response course during the 116thAnnual Meeting of the Society of the FederalHealth Agencies.


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Application upgrades currently underway to Army Medical

Communications for Combat Casualty Care (MC4) electronic

medical record (EMR) systems in Iraq and Afghanistan will

provide better methods for capturing and reporting mild

traumatic brain injury (mTBI) data.

Other enhancements include easier medical supply

management and better visibility of patients in transit. The MC4

program will field the upgrades first in Southwest Asia and then

in 12 other countries where MC4 systems remain operational.

Continue reading at http://bit.ly/ePi6Hg

Faster Ways to Report Mild TBI

Army Spc. Rosemary Yanezgarcia utilizesDCAM's improved functionality tosimultaneously process multiple receipts inthe Brigade Medical Supply Office at ForwardOperating Base Sharana, Afghanistan. (PhotoCredit MC4)

This month we profile the United States Air Force International

Health Specialist program and show how military medical assets

not only save lives, but also leave a lasting impact on the world.

Continue reading at http://bit.ly/esk3RH

Defense Health Assets Impact theWorld

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The holidays are a great opportunity to bond with family members and reconnect with old friends, but

this time of year can also present significant stress, particularly if a loved one is deployed for the

holidays. An empty seat at the dinner table, holiday shopping, minus one or unwrapped gifts under

the Christmas tree can cause the holiday blues. Joyous reminders of the holiday season can also bring

pain and loneliness.

Especially during this time of the year, it is critical that TRICARE beneficiaries reach out to family

members and friends if they are experiencing any holiday blues. Sometimes frequent communication

with a loved one can get a beneficiary back on track. TRICARE Assistance Program is here to assist.

Continue reading at http://bit.ly/eepLmB

TRICARE - Here for the Holidays


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The U.S. Navy Surgeon General addressed the importance of

controlling HIV/AIDS in global military and peacekeeping

organizations to an international audience Dec. 6, during the

10th annual HIV/AIDS Planning and Policy Seminar.

Vice Adm. Adam M. Robinson, Jr. discussed the healthcare

challenges associated with the spread of HIV/AIDS and provided

some recommendations to senior Ministry of Defense and

Ministry of Health medical officers from more than 40 countries

including sub-Saharan African nations, Southeast Asia, Eastern

Europe and South America.

Continue reading at http://bit.ly/e8eOJJ

Navy Surgeon General on HIV/AIDS

Navy Surgeon General Vice Adm. Adam M.Robinson Jr. highlighted the medical role inthe U.S. military's growing humanitarianassistance missions (U.S. Navy photo byCapt. Cappy Surette/Released)

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A study of more than 643,000 children from 2006 through 2007 suggests that while nine years of war

is taking a toll on U.S. children, these same children are getting necessary access to appropriate

medical care for mental health services.

Led by Navy Cmdr. Gregory Gorman, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Uniformed Services

University of the Health Sciences, or USU, and a practicing pediatrician, the study found children of active-duty military personnel make 18 percent more trips to the doctor for behavioral problems and

19 percent more visits for stress disorders when a military parent is deployed compared with when

the parent is home. The study of children ages 3 to 8 was published in the December issue of the

journal Pediatrics.

Continue reading at http://bit.ly/fmR2Ub

Mental Health Care for Military Children

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Upcoming EventsMilitary OneSource Webinar:Helping Your Child Deal withStress: Teaching ResiliencyDecember 20, 2010 at 11:00a.m. EST

2011 Military Health SystemConference The QuadrupleAim: Working Together,Achieving Success

January 24 - 27National Harbor, Maryland
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MHS Vital Signs December 2010