Online Program

Oral

Health disparities experienced by members of the Armed Forces are regularly showcased in today’s media. It is not uncommon to read a story or see a news clip regarding suicide, sexual assault, or tobacco use among our Service Members. What is often not described are the military’s efforts to promote health and wellness or to determine what is effective in changing knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and health outcomes in this unique population. Given the challenges faced by our military, a multitude of programs, initiatives, and policies exists at local and higher levels within the Army to improve Soldiers’ health, readiness, and performance. However, not all programs and initiatives are created equal in their effectiveness, efficiency, and ability to achieve desired outcomes. It is critical that the public health and military communities understand what works, what does not work, and how programmatic resources can be optimized to best promote and protect the health and well-being of today’s warfighters. The focus of this multidisciplinary session will be public health evaluation practice within the U.S. Army. It will showcase 4 current projects covering injury prevention, tobacco control, and behavioral health. The session will provide participants with examples of process and outcome evaluation, and strategic program reviews. It will include presentation of qualitative and quantitative data and recommendations from this work. During this session, attendees will learn about the functioning of the U.S. Army Public Health system, the organization of the U.S. Army Public Health Command and Army Institute of Public Health, and the application of public health methods within the Army. Panelists will discuss the advantages, challenges, and unique considerations of health promotion practice and evaluation with Soldiers and their families and will compare and contrast it to that within civilian populations. The military is frequently looking to partner with academic and other agencies in health promotion. The results of this session will include an increased awareness of program evaluation efforts at the U.S. Army Public Health Command and of opportunities for networking and future collaborations.

Session Objectives: Describe the role of program evaluation within the U.S. Army public health system. Explain advantages and challenges of conducting evaluation within the military population and setting. List examples of current public health evaluation projects occurring within the U.S. Army.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)