The Association Between Suicide and OIF/OEF Deployment History. Addendum
Abstract
One of the most important questions in military suicide research at this time is whether deployment in support of Operations Iraqi or Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) is associated with an increased risk of suicide. The equivocal research conducted to date on this topic creates a confusing picture for military senior leaders and the American public. The funded study was specifically designed to address many of the recommendations of that report in order to generate seminal results. This collaborative DoD-VA study utilized multiple enterprise level databases to determine whether a history of deployment in support of OIF/OEF is a risk factor for suicide. In addition, the proposed study examined the suicide rates of post-deployed National Guard members and Reservists to determine whether these cohorts are at increased risk of suicide. Furthermore, it examined rates of deaths of undetermined intent in military and civilian populations to determine whether potential misclassifications of deaths may confound military and civilian comparisons of suicide rates. The funded study also specifically examined service members who did not complete a full term of service (e.g., because of misconduct, substance abuse, etc.) and thus may be more likely to have risk factors for suicide. Results have been disseminated through multiple publications and presentations (including a manuscript in press in JAMA Psychiatry). In addition, study efforts made a foundational contribution to establishing the DoD/VA Suicide Data Repository, a new enterprise resource for surveillance and research.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2015
- Accession Number
- ADA613802
Entities
People
- Derek Smolenski
- Gregory Gahm
- Han Kang
- Mark Reger
- Nancy A. Skopp
- Nigel E. Bush
- Tim Bullman
Organizations
- Geneva Foundation