Characterizing mental, behavioural, and physical health among active duty U.S. sailors and Marines

Abstract

LAY SUMMARY Optimal health is critical for military personnel’s performance and readiness. To date, military research on mental and behavioural health has primarily focused on men in the U.S. Army. Indicators of physical health (e.g., blood pressure) and how they relate to mental and behavioural health are also understudied in military populations. To explore the impact of occupational stress and to simultaneously assess different types of health in a more diverse military population, this study evaluated mental, behavioural, and physical health factors in a large group of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps service members that included men and women from various occupational specialties. Military job stress (e.g., time of service, number of deployments) was related to mental, behavioural, and physical health. A more well-rounded approach to health status assessment in large, diverse military populations may support the development of targeted disease prevention strategies.