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Army public health, finance experts offer strategies to cope with No. 1 stressor of military families
November 15, 2022 — During the month of November, the Department of Defense celebrates the Month of the Military Family. While families are the backbone that sustain our fighting force, recent reports show that some military families are struggling... MORE

Health of the Force report examines COVID-19 pandemic impacts to Soldier health, public health response
April 28, 2022 — The U.S. Army Public Health Center released the seventh annual Health of the Force, or HOF, report April 18, 2022. The report focuses on Active Component Soldiers and presents Army-wide and installation-level data for more than 20 medical, wellness and environmental indicators... MORE

Army Public Health Center launches inaugural Health of the Army Family report
December 7, 2021 — From the beginning, military families have been a center of gravity for the heart of the military force. Their unwavering, steadfast and resolute presence has provided many with the emotional and psychological stability needed during trying times... MORE

SMA pushes for vaccinations as Army aims for return to normalcy
April 12, 2021 — As the Army strives to get back to normal operations this year, increasing the number of vaccinated personnel will enable readiness and expedite the reopening process, said Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael A. Grinston April 8... MORE

Lt. Col. John Gwinn, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, receives the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Jan. 14, 2021.

COVID stress: How you can help your furry friends cope
August 4, 2020 — The global coronavirus pandemic has caused many changes in households across the country, including major adjustments to routines for school, work, shopping, and even visits with friends and family. While people have the ability to express themselves verbally while coping with their new normal, pets cannot... MORE

Separation anxiety in pets can occur because of a pet’s anticipation of a negative outcome, which is being left alone or being denied access to the owner.

Officials forecast no meat, produce shortages in commissaries
May 20, 2020 — Veterinary health officials with the Department of Defense and Army Public Health Center who are charged with monitoring food safety and food supply for the DOD and Army say although there may be localized supply issues outside of the continental United States, there are no forecasted shortages of meat, poultry or produce... MORE

DOD to implement new laws for tobacco sales beginning in August
May 7, 2020 — In recognition of the long-term harm caused by early onset tobacco use, President Donald Trump signed legislation in December 2019 amending the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and raising the federal minimum age for sale of tobacco products from 18 to 21 years... MORE

The Department of Defense is raising the minimum age for all tobacco sales to 21 years of age beginning Aug. 1. Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable disease, disability and death in the United States.

Army veterinarians post FAQ for pet owners to Army Public Health Center COVID-19 website
April 29, 2020 — The Army Public Health Center has updated its COVID-19 website with a number of pet-related COVID-19 frequently asked questions... MORE

Army issues public health alert on vaping dangers
September 24, 2019 — The Army Public Health Center issued a Public Health Alert Sept. 10 warning Soldiers and family members who do not currently use tobacco products to avoid all e-cigarette and vaping products, particularly those sold off the street or modified to add any substances not intended by the manufacturer... MORE

Soldiers and their family members who do not currently use tobacco products are encouraged to avoid all e-cigarette or vaping products, particularly those sold off the street or modified to add any substances not intended by the manufacturer.

Army public health experts offer advice for reducing training injuries
September 6, 2019 — One of the challenges facing Army leadership as they transition to the new Army Combat Fitness Test, which will be fully implemented by October 2020, is preventing musculoskeletal training injuries. Physical training is necessary to develop and maintain the fitness required to accomplish military missions, but is also known to cause injury... MORE

U.S. Army Advanced Individual Training students perform leg tucks during an Army Combat Fitness Test at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, June 28, 2019. Leg tucks are the fifth event in the ACFT as it is a test of endurance that requires Soldiers to complete as many repetitions as possible in two minutes.

Army Public Health Center dispel 'kissing bug' invasion rumors
May 22, 2019 — Entomologists with the Army Public Health Center say concerns about blood-sucking "kissing bugs," which can transmit Chagas disease, spreading north from southernmost states may fuel social media rumors, but the reality is there is no cause for alarm... MORE

The eastern bloodsucking conenose, Triatoma sanguisuga, feeds on animals and humans and has a habit of biting humans in the face. There are actually 11 different naturally occurring species of kissing bug in the U.S., though they do best in the warmer climates of the southern states.

Survey seeks input from family members and friends caring for wounded warriors
September 18, 2018 — Are you a family member or friend caring for a wounded, ill or injured service member? If so, you are not alone. To better understand the specific needs of military caregivers, the Army Public Health Center is conducting a survey. If you are a family member or friend caring for a service member at or Joint Base San Antonio, Texas; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; or Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; the Army wants to hear from you... MORE

The U.S. Army Medical Command’s Army Public Health Center announced the launch of a survey for military caregivers. The survey seeks to understand the social, economic and health impact of caregiving and identify gaps in services.

Army entomology experts: Don’t get bitten this summer
July 18, 2018 — With the summer season in full swing, Army Public Health Center entomologists recognize the undeniable presence of mosquitoes and ticks, and emphasize the importance of being aware that their bites can transmit illnesses... MORE

The lone star tick is the most common tick found in the southeastern U.S. One of the first things people can do to prevent a tick bite is to recognize tick habitats, and avoid them.

Military caregiver survey launches at Joint Base San Antonio
May 15, 2018 — The U.S. Army Medical Command's Army Public Health Center announced May 14 the launch of a survey for military caregivers, those family members and friends who provide assistance to a wounded, ill or injured Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine. The survey will be open to ANY Family member or friend over the age of 18, regardless of their beneficiary status... MORE

Army tick experts promote prevention tactics
July 7, 2017 — With the summer season in full swing, Army Public Health Center tick-borne disease experts recognize the undeniable presence of ticks, emphasizing the importance of being aware of the different illnesses they can transmit and ways to prevent these illnesses... MORE

The Gulf Coast tick carries pathogens associated with the Tidewater spotted fever disease.