Document Type
Master's Culminating Experience
Publication Date
6-2014
Abstract
Infectious diseases in fighting armies are a pestilence as old as war itself. The history of the United States military is rich in successes of innovation and lessons learned in failure in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. Over the nearly two and a half centuries of American warfare, military research and development have contributed greatly to advancements in vaccines, medical treatments, and other control and prevention strategies for tropical and other infectious diseases. Current deployments in desert environments have provided continued research and progress in infectious disease control, treatment, and prevention, despite a relative decrease in civilian medical focus toward the field. In the case of a cross-global flux of US troop deployment resulting in in distribution to more tropical locations, the military will need to transition the current system of deployment planning in order to prepare. While the large-scale deployment planning structure is secure, changes will need to be executed in force health management education among military members, civilian support systems, and the public health community. Additionally, there will be some environmental and diseases-specific concerns to address, and an increased obligation for biowarfare awareness and counter planning. Execution of this transition will provide for optimal force health management and protection for American warfighters across the globe.
Repository Citation
Nelms, J. M. (2014). From Sea to Shining Sea: Force Health Management of Infectious Diseases in a Cross-Global Deployment Flux toward Tropical Environments. Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.
