AOCOPM 2024 Midyear Educational Conference-A - Current Insights and Updates in Military Occupational Medicine - Scott Everson, DO, MPH; Patrick Birchfield, DO, MPH, FAOCOPM

A - Current Insights and Updates in Military Occupational Medicine - Scott Everson, DO, MPH; Patrick Birchfield, DO, MPH, FAOCOPM

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Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Scott Everson was unable to attend the conference due to a fall and was replaced by Colonel Patrick Birchfield. Colonel Birchfield, with impressive credentials in aerospace medicine and a significant role within the American Osteopathic College of Occupational and Preventive Medicine, delivered the presentation. His lecture focused on current initiatives in military occupational medicine, including safety and health issues affecting veterans, like chemical exposures and environmental hazards. He touched on several VA and DOD initiatives related to past military operations, such as the Blue Water Navy exposure to Agent Orange, and newer studies involving the effects of various military operations on veterans' health.<br /><br />He also highlighted the challenges and strategies in DOD occupational health, emphasizing the need for better integration and understanding of occupational health within military leadership. He discussed the Air Force's restructuring to improve their alignment with traditional service models in military medicine. Finally, he presented the concept of the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record, a database aiming to track service members' exposures for improved medical outcomes and benefits adjudication, with ongoing work to improve its accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Keywords

aerospace medicine

military occupational health

Agent Orange

veterans' health

DOD initiatives

Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record

Colonel Patrick Birchfield