Mortality surveillance in the U.S. Army, 2005-2011

Mortality rates in the U.S. Army from 2005 to 2011 were examined over time and compared to the U.S. general population. Cases were U.S. Army Soldiers (active duty or activated National Guard/Reserve) with dates of death between 2005 and 2011 and between 18 and 64 years of age in the Department of De...

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Published inMilitary medicine Vol. 179; no. 12; pp. 1478 - 1486
Main Authors Mancha, Brent E, Watkins, Eren Youmans, Nichols, Jerrica N, Seguin, Peter G, Bell, Amy Millikan
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England Oxford University Press 01.12.2014
Subjects
Accidents - mortality
Adolescent
Adult
Armed forces
Cause of Death - trends
Female
Homicide - trends
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Military Personnel - statistics & numerical data
Mortality
Population Surveillance
Suicide - trends
Suicides & suicide attempts
Trends
United States - epidemiology
Warfare
Young Adult
United States
United States > US
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Summary:Mortality rates in the U.S. Army from 2005 to 2011 were examined over time and compared to the U.S. general population. Cases were U.S. Army Soldiers (active duty or activated National Guard/Reserve) with dates of death between 2005 and 2011 and between 18 and 64 years of age in the Department of Defense Medical Mortality Registry. Age- and sex-adjusted annual mortality rates (AR) were calculated for each category of death and examined via linear regression. Proportions of underlying causes of death were also examined. The trend in AR in the U.S. Army significantly decreased for combat deaths, the average annual percent change (AAPC) = 15.2% decrease in the log of the rate (LAR); p = 0.04 and accident deaths, AAPC = 5.4% decrease in the LAR; p = 0.002 and significantly increased for suicides, AAPC = 10.6% increase in the LAR; p = 0.001. The trend in AR for suicides for the Army was significantly different compared to the U.S. general population, AAPC = 11.0% increase in the LAR; p < 0.001. Trends in rates of combat deaths and accident deaths declined although rates of suicides increased. The Army suicide rate increased in comparison to the United States. 70% of accident deaths were transportation related. Almost 70% of suicides and homicides were firearm related.
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ISSN:0026-4075
1930-613X
DOI:10.7205/MILMED-D-13-00539