Achievement of Healthy People 2010 Objectives by Military Health System Beneficiaries

Purpose

This study examined Military Health System (MHS) beneficiaries' progress toward selected Healthy People 2010 (HP2010) objectives. Self-reported survey data were used to assess whether the objectives were met.

Design

A representative stratified sample of beneficiaries from the MHS (n = 55,000) were asked to complete an anonymous mail or web survey.

Measures

Population Health Survey (PHS) used questions derived from other major national surveys to facilitate comparisons with civilian and non-beneficiary data.

Analysis

Statistical tests included logistic regression models to examine the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics of MHS beneficiaries and specific health promotion and health risk outcomes identified in HP2010 objectives.

Results

MHS beneficiaries met several of the HP2010 objectives included in this study. According to beneficiary categories, retirees and their dependents over 65 years old met the smoking cessation, tobacco use, and binge drinking objectives. Active Duty (AD) and AD dependents both met the vigorous physical activity objective, while women in these groups met objectives for ever or in the past 3 years receiving a Pap test. All beneficiary groups met the objectives for ever receiving a sigmoidoscopy, moderate physical activity, and receiving a mammogram within the past 2 years. Logistic regression results demonstrated that sociodemographic characteristics varied according to different HP2010 objectives.

Conclusion

MHS beneficiaries met goals primarily related to cancer screening and moderate/vigorous physical activity and varied by beneficiary category.