Health Status of Current National Guard Members

Abstract

Abstract : Two projects are being conducted under this funding award. The cross-sectional survey study (project #1) lays the ground work to establish a cohort of current Massachusetts Army National Guard (ARNG) members whose health status can be followed as they remain State-side; are deployed for combat, peacekeeping, or civilian emergency duties; and after they leave the military. The objectives are to: 1) describe the current health status of this ARNG cohort, 2) examine to what extent the job strain of ARNG service affects the relationship between civilian job strain and health and job performance outcomes and, 3) examine whether retention in the ARNG is related to current health status. The study cohort includes all current Massachusetts (MA) ARNG members and prior members who have left ARNG service within the past 3-4 years. A prospective deployment health field study (project #2) involving a MA ARNG group deploying to Bosnia in 2001 and a comparison group (non-deployed) is being carried out to examine cognitive readiness and potential changes in health related to deployment. These two research projects are currently in progress. They represent some of the first research projects to focus on the role that one's ARNG job plays on health status and quality of life.