Exertional Heat Illness in the Military: Exploring Factors for Injury Prevention Using Haddon's Matrix
Abstract
Heat injuries affect over 2,500 U.S. Armed Forces members annually.1 Incidence of military heat injuries, in general, and heat stroke, specifically, have steadily increased in recent years.2 In 2018, 578 cases of heat stroke and 2214 cases of heat exhaustion were reported across all four branches of the military, reflecting an incidence rate of 0.45-1.71 per 1,000 person-years.3 If each of these cases resulted in hospitalization in the civilian sector, this would equate to nearly $9000 per case, $25,128,000 per year or $250 million over 10 years.4These numbers do not reflect additional personnel replacement costs should they no longer be able to fulfill their military position. From 2008-2018, military costs, estimated at nearly $1 billion, for heat injuries resulting in life-threatening conditions include: lost duty time, medical treatment, medical evacuations, and have negative implications for mission readiness. 5-7 Heat injuries, which includes exertional heat injuries (EHIs), account for a significant portion of non-battle injuries.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 23, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1086661
Entities
People
- Cory Edwards
- Dawn Depriest
- Denise A. Smart
- Gail Oneal
- Janessa M. Graves
- Lindsey Eberman
- Mary L. Roberts
- Stephanie D. Rowan
- Tamara Odom-maryon
Organizations
- 59th Medical Wing