2005 Department of Defense Survey of Health Related Behaviors among Active Duty Military Personnel

Abstract : This report presents the primary results of the 2005 Department of Defense (DoD) Survey of Health-Related Behaviors among Active Duty Military Personnel. This study is the 9th in a series of surveys of active-duty military personnel conducted in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1998, 2002, and 2005 under the direction of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs). All of the surveys investigated the prevalence of alcohol use, illicit drug use, and tobacco use, as well as negative consequences associated with substance use. The 1985 through 1992 surveys also covered an expanded set of health behaviors and related issues. In 1995 and 1998, health behavior questions were revised and items were added to assess selected "Healthy People 2000" objectives. In addition, questions were added to examine the mental health of the active force, specific health concerns of military women and military men, oral health, and gambling behaviors. The 2002 and 2005 surveys continued the general focus of the 1998 survey and expanded it to include "Healthy People 2010" objectives. They also augmented the items on exercise, nutrition, and mental health and added new items on dietary supplement use, risk taking and impulsive behavior, job satisfaction, deployment, and religiosity/spirituality. The final sample consisted of 16,146 military personnel (3,639 Army, 4,627 Navy, 3,356 Marine Corps, and 4,524 Air Force) who completed self-administered questionnaires anonymously. Following an introductory chapter, chapters are as follows: (2) Methodology of the 2005 DoD Active Duty Survey; (3) Overview of Trends in Substance Use and "Healthy People 2010" Objectives; (4) Alcohol Use; (5) Illicit Drug Use; (6) Tobacco Use; (7) Healthy Lifestyles and Disease Prevention; (8) Health Behavior and Health Promotion; (9) Stress and Mental Health; and (10) Other Health-Related Issues in the Military. The report includes 137 tables.