Supporting Service Members with Combat Injuries

April 24, 2009
Service members returning from deployments with combat injuries may benefit from a recent Department of the Army grant awarded to the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) and the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS).

The $6.5 million grant will be used to facilitate research designed to help military service members reintegrate following deployment. The grant also can assist the families of service members.

"This is a challenging, yet important study that will hopefully help us to better understand and care for our wounded service members and their families following a deployment," said Stephen Cozza, M.D., USU professor, department of psychiatry and associate director of the CSTS. "For the first time, we'll have the ability and support to see our research in action – to really identify the most effective means to support our service members who return from deployment with combat injuries, and their families, who may need assistance reintegrating with their communities."

The grant, funded by the Office of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program, initially will support efforts associated with Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C.; Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio; and Madigan Army Medical Centers, Tacoma, Wash. The program will seek to identify needs of service members, families and children. It will set into action appropriate interventions, filling a gap in existing comprehensive medical care.

The grant was awarded based on the belief that Cozza's project will contribute significant understanding of psychological health, including post-traumatic stress disorder, and other areas relevant to the DRMRP.

"USU is dedicated to innovative research in military medicine and nursing as well as public health," said Larry Laughlin, M.D., Ph.D, dean of the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine at USU. "Our research programs, devoted to preventive medicine, infectious disease, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, are relevant both locally and globally. The benefits of this grant will impact military families serving throughout the world who may need support following their deployments."

As little data exists to suggest how members, families and their children adjust in the aftermath of an injury, the research will be dedicated to finding that data.

More information.

Sponsored Recommendations

3 Essential Elements for a Strong Safety Culture

March 13, 2024
Organizations globally have increased their attention on safety culture: trying to figure out what it really is and the aspects that are necessary to develop and sustain it. And...

Making the Case for Occupational Health Software

March 13, 2024
Deciding to invest in Occupational Health (OH) software can be a challenging leap for many organizations. This article will equip businesses with insightful strategies for effectively...

Fighting the Flu: Solutions for the Workplace

March 13, 2024
Seasonal flu continues to wreak considerable havoc both on individual wellness, as well as on our business continuity and productivity. Explore these solutions for protecting ...

Preventing SIFs with Digitization: Reduce Serious Injuries and Fatalities with Technology

March 13, 2024
This eBook discusses the origins of SIF prevention, outlines principles, models and tools available to EHS leaders to better detect and address SIF potential in their business...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!