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Defense secretary: DOD must increase efforts to destigmatize mental health care
May 31, 2022 — The White House and the Defense Department have made taking care of military families a priority, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said May 28... MORE

Lethal means safety is key to suicide prevention
April 14, 2022 — Every death by suicide is an unnerving tragedy, and the Defense Department is taking a comprehensive public health approach to save lives through widespread education and evidence-based prevention practices in the face of one of the military's — and the nation's — most vexing public health crises... MORE

Military hospital support to FEMA begins in Massachusetts, expands in Arizona, Maine
February 14, 2022 — At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, about 90 military medical personnel are continuing to deploy in six teams to three states to support civilian health care workers treating COVID-19 patients. ... MORE

Why today’s ‘Gen Z’ is at risk for boot camp injuries
February 10, 2022 — For today's generation of 18-to-25-year-olds, making it through recruit training and successfully transitioning from civilian life into the military is not easy. Today's recruits are coming from a far more sedentary lifestyle compared to previous generations, making their skeletons more prone to injuries because they're not used to the kind of intense activity they will face at basic training... MORE

Learn to reduce your risk of developing cancer
February 2, 2022 — It is usually not possible to know why one person develops cancer and another doesn’t. But research has shown that certain risk factors may increase a person’s chances of getting cancer. ... MORE

Armed Services Blood Program urges donors to step up
January 24, 2022 — Donations are down, and the Armed Services Blood Program is encouraging volunteers to step up and donate blood to replenish the supply... MORE

Medical leaders address COVID-19 concerns during Blue Star Families Forum
January 21, 2022 — Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said that by mid-February, various states should start to show signs of turning around and begin to come down in their COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalizations... MORE

DOD officials say service members, families pay price of continuing resolutions
January 13, 2022 — Service members and their families will suffer if Congress passes a full-year continuing resolution for fiscal 2022, Defense Department officials told the House Appropriations defense subcommittee Jan. 12... MORE

Military hospital support to FEMA begins in Indiana, Wisconsin, continues in five states
December 21, 2021 — At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, approximately 40 military medical personnel will deploy in two new teams – one 20-person team to Indiana, and one 20-person team to Wisconsin – to support civilian healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients... 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

Myths and facts about the vax — debunking common COVID-19 vaccine myths
September 23, 2021 — The COVID-19 vaccine has been mandated across the Department of Defense and despite its demonstrated effectiveness and safety, a host of myths have left some Airmen and Guardians hesitant to receive it. While social media posts and some news outlets may make it harder to keep up with what is fact or fiction, the science is clear … approved COVID-19 vaccines work... MORE

Air Force Marathon shifts to virtual race due to COVID-19 precautions
August 20, 2021 — The decision was made to protect the health and safety of more than 20,000 participants, volunteers and guests... MORE

Be alert to summer health hazards
June 15, 2021 — Summer’s here, and with it comes backyard barbecues, days at the beach, and time spent outdoors. Knowing common summer health hazards can help you and your family take the right steps to keep your summer safe and fun... MORE

Air Force moves physical fitness assessments to April 2021, removes waist measurement from composite score permanently
December 7, 2020 — To ensure social distancing practices remain in place during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and to give Airmen and Space Professionals time to prepare, testing was delayed from October to January and is now further delayed to April... MORE

Operation Warp Speed accelerates COVID-19 vaccine development
June 17, 2020 — The national effort to accelerate the development, manufacturing and distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine, called "Operation Warp Speed," will hasten the delivery of that vaccine by conducting steps concurrently that normally would be conducted sequentially, senior administration officials said... MORE

Air Force cancels 2020 Marathon, offers virtual option
June 10, 2020 — Numerous scenarios were explored to produce an event that was safe for all and met the high event standards. All scenarios led the marathon team to conclude the event would be unable to proceed in a manner that participants have come to expect... MORE

DOD plans for resumption of normal operations after pandemic
April 27, 2020 — Defense Department planners are working on how to resume normal military operations following the coronavirus pandemic, Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Rath Hoffman said... MORE

Air Force signs agreement for oral fluid coronavirus testing at Air Force installations
April 20, 2020 — The Department of the Air Force signed an agreement April 17 with Curative, Inc., to deploy and scale an oral fluid coronavirus test, which recently received an FDA emergency use authorization, across Air Force installations... MORE

Special leave accrual for service members
April 20, 2020 — Matthew Donovan, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, signed a department-wide authorization April 6 for service members to accrue and retain an additional leave balance of up to 120 days... MORE

Air Force releases grooming, fitness guidance during COVID-19
April 3, 2020 — In a message to Airmen March 31, Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, Air Force deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services, explained installation commanders have the authority to adjust standards as needed, while also encouraging Airmen to maintain grooming and fitness standards to the greatest extent possible... MORE