Armed Forces occupational health--a review

Abstract

To meet the challenges of the 21st century, Armed Forces OH practitioners must continue to provide the best evidence-based advice to enhance force preparation and sustainment. All consultations in the Armed Forces involve an OH consideration from the simplest consultations through to the input from specialist OH practitioners. While the assessment of fitness to work in home bases and on deployed operations remains the primary output of OH, the provision of support to command policy, procurement and research are also key to the ability to operate worldwide.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Scottish military veterans

“…Severe childhood asthma is associated with an increased risk of adult COPD, although mild intermittent asthma is not a risk factor 4. Recruits to the UK Armed Forces are required to meet stringent occupational health standards,15 which include freedom from ‘wheezing diatheses’ or a history thereof. A history of childhood wheeze is acceptable only if confined to the period prior to the age of 4 years, or a single episode in association with a respiratory tract infection after the age of 4 years but more than 4 years prior to application for enlistment 13.…”

The Prevalence of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in the Chinese Air Force Population

“…These personnel are also subjected to air sickness [6], altitude flying [7], combat stress, and prolonged separation from home [8]. Their job requires an all time high level of physical and mental performance [9]. The scarcity of large scale surveys about FGIDs in military service has prompted us to undertake this study in the CAF personnel.…”

ENT entry requirements for UK armed forces

“…3 It is therefore important that these specialists have knowledge of ENT-specific military requirements in order to offer appropriate advice for fully informed decision making. 3 It is therefore important that these specialists have knowledge of ENT-specific military requirements in order to offer appropriate advice for fully informed decision making.…”

“…2 These standards have been refined over the years resulting in the latest 'PULHEEMS' system, which was first introduced in 1948 as a more thorough assessment of physical and mental capacity. [3][4][5][6] Materials and methods The authors examined the medical and occupational literature, [4][5][6] and interviewed military otolaryngology advisors to ascertain ENT-specific entry criteria for the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. The 'H' in 'PULHEEMS' represents the domain of hearing; other ENT conditions are captured by the overall grade.…”