Combat Tourniquets and the Prevention of Iatrogenic Limb Ischaemia in Modern Warfare
Abstract Health support for anticipated Australian Defence Force (ADF) operations necessitates the capability to deliver prolonged austere field care in response to the constraints of contested mobility, extended evacuation distances, resource limitations and tactical requirements. Combat tourniquet application in the context of Prolonged Casualty Care (PCC) represents an emerging challenge at all levels of healthcare… Read more »
Treating and Managing SW & I
Abstract This paper proposes a SW&I Spiritual Health Protocol–Provisional (SW&ISH–P) that will expand on the spiritual aspects of the treatment and management of Spiritual Wounds and Injuries (SW&I) previously discussed in this journal.1 It is set against the fundamental principle that the SW&I is likely to occur within a broader injury context and, as such,… Read more »
Residential and Inpatient Interventions for Military Veterans within Forensic and Secure Mental Health Services: A Scoping Review
Introduction Armed Forces veterans are at increased risk of developing mental health difficulties, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and substance use disorders (SUDs).1 This heightened vulnerability is closely linked to exposure to combat-related trauma as well as the complex psychological, social and occupational challenges associated with transitioning back into civilian life.2,3 Suicide rates among… Read more »
Evaluation of Self-Perceptions of Physical Demand and Physical Fitness of Volunteers during the Adaptation Internship of Reserve Officers of the 2nd Class of the Brazilian Air Force
Abstract The recruitment and mobilisation of higher education professionals for temporary military service occurs annually in the Brazilian Air Force occur annually. After the selection process, volunteers complete a Technical Adaptation Internship to prepare future junior officers for the specific conditions of military service. These courses generally last approximately two months and have high physical,… Read more »
Editorial – JMVH
Thirty-four years ago, the initial issue of the Journal of Military and Veterans’ Health (JMVH) (then Australian Military Medicine (AMM)) was published in February 1992. SQNLDR James Ross was the inaugural President and the first article published, fittingly on “Should Defence Force Personnel receive Influenza Vaccine?”, also came from James Ross. By 1993, CMDR Russ… Read more »
The Gender Debate: Effects of 10-weeks Strength Training on Operational Readiness for Females in the Military
ABSTRACT Introduction: Military service is a physically demanding occupation, and fewer women than men meet the military fitness standards, especially in manual handling and load carriage. Therefore, integrating women into physically demanding military roles requires effective physical conditioning programs to ensure operational readiness. Methods: Twenty-eight female soldiers were randomly assigned to either a 10-week gender-specific… Read more »
Medical Corps Disease Mortality during the First World War: Australia vs. Turkey
Medical corps officers were often the ‘canary in the coal mine’ for infectious disease mortality in armies during the pre-antibiotic era. This means that medical officers could be among the first indicators of a serious medical problem (See https://wordhistories.net/2018/03/31/canary-coal-mine). Deployed forces, however, could experience exotic threats, such as malaria and cholera, that could kill both… Read more »
United States Service Members’ Resilience, Wellbeing and Social Support Resources Post-deployment
Abstract Introduction: Military service members encounter numerous stressors post-deployment. Unit cohesion, community, social connections and leadership can serve as resilience support systems and may help improve service members’ wellbeing. This research examines the perceived value of these support systems for service members post-deployment. Methods: A cross-sectional convenience sample of 78 United States military officers (n=54)… Read more »
Burnout, Life Satisfaction, and Social Exclusion Levels of Retired Non-Commissioned Officers and the Relationships Between These Phenomena: The Case of Türkiye
Abstract Background: Research on the social and psychological conditions of retired non-commissioned officers (NCOs) remains limited. Therefore, examining burnout, life satisfaction and social exclusion among retired NCOs is critical. Objective: This study aimed to measure levels of burnout, life satisfaction and social exclusion among retired NCOs in Türkiye and to examine the relationships among these… Read more »
Prevalence of Long-Term Health Conditions in Current-serving, Previous-Serving and Never-Serving Australians: An Age-Adjusted Comparative Analysis using 2021 Census Data
ABSTRACT Background Long-term health conditions (LTHC) are major contributors to morbidity and mortality in Australia and may be more prevalent in Australian Defence Force (ADF) veterans. Previous analyses are limited because they do not control for age and sex confounding or disaggregate by ADF service status. Purpose We aimed to estimate and compare the age-standardised… Read more »
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… Read more »
Hookworm infections in the Military
Abstract Soil-transmitted helminths such as hookworm are rarely a problem for military units unless they directly contact faecally contaminated soil during tropical operations. Localised epidemics incapacitating small infantry units have been recorded in the Solomon Islands and Bougainville during World War II and in Vietnam, Grenada and Sierra Leone more recently. Scattered hookworm infection cases… Read more »
Editorial – The 1991 Gulf War
Thirty-five years ago, 1872 Australians, including Australian Defence Force (ADF) health personnel, served in the Persian Gulf between August 1990 and the ceasefire in February 1991. While primarily a Royal Australian Navy task group, involving HMAS Adelaide, HMAS Darwin, HMAS Sydney, HMAS Brisbane, HMAS Success and HMAS Westralia in maritime interdiction, sanctions enforcement and replenishment… Read more »
More on the Staff of Asclepius
In a 2010 issue of ADF Health I wrote an article More on the Staff and Serpent of Asclepius (1) describing Asclepian medicine and the Asclepian Temples with a short description of the wooden staff and entwining serpent of Asclepius. At the time I had not found any information on the origin, symbolism or nature… Read more »
Supporting Australian Veterans Presenting with Cognitive Concerns
Introduction Veterans frequently present to general practitioners and non-GP medical specialists with concerns regarding mood, thinking, memory, cognition concerns and in some cases even self-diagnosed dementia Often, the underlying cause is unclear The differential diagnosis might include an undiagnosed mental health condition, a sleep disorder, impacts from alcohol or drug use, dementia, a degenerative neurological… Read more »
Editorial – The Nature and Character of War
Editorial As we enter 2026, consideration needs to be given to various conflicts and touchpoints around the globe, from Ukraine to South Sudan, Middle East to the South China Sea While the Australian Defence Force has not been drawn directly into these conflicts, there remains the potential for escalation, for which we all need to… Read more »
Health Effects of Sport and Volunteering in a Military Context
Abstract When considering military fitness, the focus must be on psychological and physiological ability, which are themselves influenced by health. Health itself is a product of several factors, as will be highlighted in the current study. To assess health and its implications in a military context, a questionnaire was administered to 555 participants during and… Read more »
Building Strength at Home: Addressing Domestic and Family Violence to Prevent Suicide in Australian Defence Communities
Introduction The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has drawn national attention to the urgent need to address suicide among serving and ex serving members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).1,2 The Commission report includes a series of important recommendations to reduce the prevalence of suicide, many of which are underway Nevertheless, one significant recommendation… Read more »
Relations Between Physical and Emotional Health and Psychological Stress in Trauma-Exposed Veterans with Emotional Disorders
Abstract Background: Exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) is common, especially in veterans. There are psychological sequelae to PTE exposure, including stress and anxiety pathology, depressive symptoms, and PTSD. Identifying veterans at risk for elevated psychological distress following PTEs, as well as distress correlates, is critical to improving mental health screening efforts and minimising downstream… Read more »
Comparing Sense of Control between Veterans and Civilians using the Health and Retirement Study
ABSTRACT Background: Sense of control has been associated with age-related outcomes. Veterans may experience a reduced sense of control due to the sacrifices associated with military service—potentially contributing to increased health problems in this population. Purpose: This study seeks to understand how military service affects the sense of control in older veterans in the United… Read more »
2025 AMMA Conference
