Update: Heat illness, active component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2018

Area of Science:

• Environmental Medicine
• Occupational Health
• Military Health

Background:

• Heat illnesses, including heat stroke and heat exhaustion, pose significant health risks to military personnel.
• Understanding incidence rates and risk factors is essential for effective prevention strategies within the armed forces.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the incidence of heat stroke and heat exhaustion among active component service members in 2018.
• To identify specific demographic and occupational subgroups at higher risk for these heat-related illnesses.
• To review heat illness cases in deployed environments (Iraq and Afghanistan) from 2014-2018.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of incident diagnoses for heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
• Calculation of crude and subgroup-specific incidence rates per 1,000 person-years.
• Review of heat illness cases documented in deployed military operations.

Main Results:

• In 2018, 578 heat strokes and 2,214 heat exhaustion cases were diagnosed. Incidence rates were 0.45 and 1.71 per 1,000 person-years, respectively.
• Highest rates for both conditions were observed in males, individuals under 20, Asian/Pacific Islanders, Marine Corps and Army members, recruits, and those in combat occupations.
• From 2014-2018, 325 heat illnesses occurred in Iraq and Afghanistan, with 8.6% diagnosed as heat stroke.

Conclusions:

• Younger service members, those in combat roles, and specific ethnic groups exhibit elevated risks for heat illness.
• Comprehensive education on heat illness risks, prevention, and response is vital for military leaders and medical personnel.
• Targeted preventive measures and awareness campaigns are necessary to mitigate heat-related morbidity in the military.