The Effect of Combat Level on Disease and Non-Battle Injury

Abstract : Disease and Non Battle Injury (DNBI) rates may differ between peacetime and wartime because of differences in patient handling as well as physiological factors. Therefore, peacetime DNBI rates may not be proper estimates of wartime DNBI rates. To determine the effect of combat level on DNBI rates, Navy and Marine Corps data gathered since 1980 was compared to data gathered during Vietnam and during World War II. It was found that wartime DNBI rates were higher than peacetime rates. Further, this difference was found to be more pronounced for inpatient rates than for outpatient rates. These results were used to create a matrix for medical planners showing the relationship between outpatient rates, inpatient rates, and level of combat. Keywords: Disease and non-battle injury, Illness rates, Injury rates, Combat level.