It has been shown that those who have served in both combat missions and peacekeeping operations are at increased risk for pain syndromes. Research suggests that this may result from their “wounds of war.” Some wounds may be “invisible,” such as depression, stress, and chronic pain, while others, such as physical disabilities, are more obvious. In October 2011, twenty-seven scientists and representatives from NATO and partner countries met in Südkärnten, Austria for a three-day NATO Advanced Research Workshop entitled “Wounds of War: Pain Syndromes – From Recruitment to Returning Troops.” The aim of this publication, which presents papers from that workshop, is to critically assess the existing knowledge and to identify directions for future actions. The book addresses four key questions: 1. Vulnerability to Pain syndromes: Are certain types of people at a higher risk for pain syndromes (background, ethnicity, childhood trauma, etc.)? 2. Diagnosis and Assessment Issues of Pain Syndromes: Which methods are used to diagnose and assess pain? 3. Treatment of Pain Syndromes: What are the latest treatment and therapy opportunities for soldiers who experience pain syndromes? 4. Clinical Updates on Pain Syndromes: What can we learn from recent clinical updates on pain syndromes?

Problems stemming from the misuse and abuse of alcohol and other drugs are by no means a new phenomenon, although the face of the issues has changed in recent years. National trends indicate substantial increases in the abuse of prescription medications. These increases are particularly prominent within the military, a population that also continues to experience long-standing issues with alcohol abuse. The problem of substance abuse within the military has come under new scrutiny in the context of the two concurrent wars in which the United States has been engaged during the past decade-in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) and Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn). Increasing rates of alcohol and other drug misuse adversely affect military readiness, family readiness, and safety, thereby posing a significant public health problem for the Department of Defense (DoD). To better understand this problem, DoD requested that the Institute of Medicine (IOM) assess the adequacy of current protocols in place across DoD and the different branches of the military pertaining to the prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs). Substance Use Disorders in the U.S. Armed Forces reviews the IOM's task of assessing access to SUD care for service members, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and military dependents, as well as the education and credentialing of SUD care providers, and offers specific recommendations to DoD on where and how improvements in these areas could be made.

This volume examines the causes and consequences of stress in the military, focussing on how stress and well-being shape the experiences of military personnel both in and out of the combat zone.

The number of cases of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affecting both combat veterans and survivors of armed conflict has increased in recent years. Exposure to traumatic events can cause PTSD, and the serious consequences of this disorder can often lead to impulsive and destructive behaviors such as drug abuse and uncontrollable anger. Combat related PTSD is also one of the strongest contributing factors to the high suicide risk in returning troops. This book presents the collected papers from the 2012 NATO Advanced Study Institute (ASI): Invisible Wounds – New Tools to Enhance PTSD Diagnosis and Treatment (IW2012), held in Ankara, Turkey, in June 2012. This ASI was attended by 56 scientists and representatives from NATO and Partner countries, and expert contributors from nine different countries were invited to take part in the workshop. The aim of the ASI was to equip participants with an in-depth knowledge of the latest theoretical advances in neuroscience, psychotherapy and pharmacology, and thereby to assist them in the task of assessment, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of PTSD and related co-morbid disorders. The book is divided into four sections: a review of the latest science related to theoretical constructs and associated neurosciences; screening; stress inoculation training; and co-morbid issues: considering the whole person in treatment. This book will provide a valuable resource for all those whose work involves dealing with post traumatic stress disorder.

This book presents a comprehensive state-of the-art approach to digital health technologies and practices within the broad confines of healthcare practices. It provides a canvas to discuss emerging digital health solutions, propelled by the ubiquitous availability of miniaturized, personalized devices and affordable, easy to use wearable sensors, and innovative technologies like 3D printing, virtual and augmented reality and driverless robots and vehicles including drones. One of the most significant promises the digital health solutions hold is to keep us healthier for longer, even with limited resources, while truly scaling the delivery of healthcare. Digital Health: Scaling Healthcare to the World addresses the emerging trends and enabling technologies contributing to technological advances in healthcare practice in the 21st Century. These areas include generic topics such as mobile health and telemedicine, as well as specific concepts such as social media for health, wearables and quantified-self trends. Also covered are the psychological models leveraged in design of solutions to persuade us to follow some recommended actions, then the design and educational facets of the proposed innovations, as well as ethics, privacy, security, and liability aspects influencing its acceptance. Furthermore, sections on economic aspects of the proposed innovations are included, analyzing the potential business models and entrepreneurship opportunities in the domain.

From the stresses of repeated deployments to the difficulties of re-entry into civilian life, we are just beginning to understand how protracted conflicts, such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan, are affecting service members. Issues such as risky health behaviors and chemical dependence raise productivity concerns as they do with all organizations, but they also have a profound impact on the safety and readiness of troops--and by extension, the military as a whole--in life-or-death situations. Understanding Military Workforce Productivity cuts through the myths and misconceptions about the health and resilience of today's active-duty armed forces. This first-of-its-kind volume presents up-to-date findings across service branches in core health areas including illness and injury, alcohol and drug abuse, tobacco use, obesity, and mental health. The short- and long-term implications discussed relate to the quality of the lives of service members and their families, the quality and preparedness of the military as a workforce, and prevention and intervention efforts. The book: Presents data from ten large-scale health behavior surveys sponsored by the Department of Defense. Offers background context for understanding health and behavioral health and productivity among service members. Introduces a health and behavioral health model of productivity loss in the armed forces. Compares key indicators of substance abuse, health, and mental health in military and civilian populations. Reviews approaches for improving military productivity. Identifies areas for further study. Understanding Military Workforce Productivity offers a rare close-up of health issues in the services, making it an invaluable source of information for practitioners and researchers in mental health, substance abuse, health behaviors, and military behavioral health.