Total Army Injury and Health Outcomes Database (TAIHOD): A robust data repository and epidemiologic research tool

INTRODUCTION: The Total Army Injury and Health Outcomes Database (TAIHOD) is a data repository, housing secondary data on over 5 million active-duty Army Soldiers from 1980 to present. The TAIHOD supports longitudinal epidemiologic investigations on a large military population, the results of which are generalizable to populations engaging in physically demanding activities and occupations.

METHODS: TAIHOD data are transferred in raw, identified form to a highly secure server. Experienced programmers replace identifiers with a generated number, thus de-identifying the data, but maintaining linkage between datasets. Programmers develop de-identified analytical datasets that are linked at the level of the individual Soldier. Demographic and occupational data are present in 17 of 22 datasets, and 15 of 22 datasets contain health-related data, such as clinical encounters, disability evaluations, and health habit surveys.

RESULTS: Recent TAIHOD projects include longitudinal analyses of musculoskeletal injuries, occupational disabilities, and mental health outcomes, including those related to traumatic brain injury. To date, 63 articles have been published using the TAIHOD, 27 (43%) on intentional and unintentional injury and suicide, 14 (20%) on disability outcomes, 12 (19%) on substance abuse and mental health, and 11 (17%) on the TAIHOD or combined research areas.

CONCLUSION: The large population and breadth of data available in the TAIHOD support etiologic and intervention investigations that may be difficult to conduct in civilian populations. The TAIHOD continues to support research valuable to both civilian and military populations, as well as to increase knowledge of health-related outcomes resulting from physically demanding activities and occupations.