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Title(s): Medicine in the tropics: impact of infectious diseases on military deployment Author(s): United States. Navy Publication Date: 1989 Publication Information: Bethesda, Md. : Navy Medicine Support Command, Visual Information Directorate, Audiovisual Production Dept., 1989 Language(s): English Format: Moving image; 053 min.; Sound; Color Subject(s): Military Medicine Communicable Diseases - epidemiology Skin Diseases - epidemiology War Rights: The National Library of Medicine believes this item to be in the public domain. Identifier(s): See catalog record: 101308709 http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101308709

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In this recording of a lecture, a military doctor describes the competencies that military medicine requires, particularly in the tropics: an understanding of tropical disease, emergency pre-hospital care, disease prevention through sanitation, psychiatry, and leadership. In a variety of graphs and charts, the lecturer presents statistical information drawn from past U.S. and international conflicts, demonstrating the impact that disease and illness have on those on active military duty. He notes that before World War I, the majority of military deaths were a result of disease. While modern medicine has greatly diminished the risk, it remains true that afflictions such as skin infections, exposure to heat or cold, and mental health still account for far casualties than do combat wounds. The lecturer emphasized the importance of doctors and other health providers collecting and providing solid statistical information to commanding officials, so that they can develop and ensure adherence to effective health policies.

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