The Health Readiness of Junior Enlisted Military Women: The Social Determinants of Health Model and Research Questions

Abstract

Currently, women comprise 17% of the 1.4 million U.S. active military and 20% of the 1.2 million reserve force. Well over three-quarters of these women are enlisted (82%). Enlisted women are young, between the ages of 17 and 29, and one-half are ethnic minorities. Enlisted women are a growing minority within the predominantly male hierarchical military organization. The most junior of these women, in addition to being vastly outnumbered by men, fall along with junior enlisted men at the bottom of the military organizational structure. This unique position may have health consequences. The purpose of this article is to propose research questions within the context of the Marmot and Wilkinson's social determinants of health model. Proposed research questions are provided to address the current gaps in the science related to the contextual health readiness issues of junior enlisted military women.