MHS Vital Signs MILITARY HE ALTH SYS TEM E-BULLE TIN
S u b s c r ib e
ISSUE 16 JULY 2010
IN THIS ISSUE
MHS Vital Signs is distributed
monthly to your inbox. To sign up
and view the full version, visit us on
the web at www.health.mil/vitalsigns.
July 2010 Online Edition:
• July Is Human Performance
Optimization Month
• Warrior Care Spotlight: GPS-
Equipped Parachutes Deliver Blood
From the Sky to Save Lives
• MHS Profiles: We Are the MHS
• Army Looking at Yoga, Acupuncture
to Treat Pain
• Lynn: Intrepid Center Will Be Hub
of Brain Treatment
• Did You Know: TRICARE
Enrollment Updates
• Recently on the Dot Mil
Docs Podcast
• Research Roundup:
Nanotechnology May Hold the
Answer to Treating Depression
• In and Out
UPCOMING EVENTS
American Health Information
Management Association 2010
Convention & Exhibit
September 25-30, Orlando, Fla.
to MHS
V it a l S ig n s
at
h t t p ://h e a lt
h .m il /
vi t a ls ig n s
Welcome
Optimizing human performance for the warfighter
is a high priority for our Military Health System. We
must organize to sustain warfighter performance from
accession into the military until retirement and apply our
skills to enhance baseline performance throughout a
career.
Today’s weapon systems are technologically advanced,
often complex and network-centric, demanding the
utmost in physical and cognitive resources. The
warfighter must have the utmost situational awareness coupled with peak mental
and physical fitness.
We excel in caring for the wounded warrior—now we must excel in sustaining,
optimizing, and enhancing the warrior. Through human-centered research, human
systems integration and a health system that sustains human performance, the
American soldier, sailor, airman and Marine can effectively and efficiently execute
the mission.
Enjoy this issue of MHS Vital Signs!
Col. Lex Brown
Director, Human Performance Integration
711th Human Performance Wing
Air Force Research Laboratory
July Is Human Performance Optimization Month
The MHS observes Human Performance Optimization month in an effort
to promote force readiness, which depends on all warfighters and support
personnel being strong, healthy and ready to conduct assigned missions and
operations. A fundamental premise
within the DoD and MHS is that
the warfighter is the center of our
capability and the prime resource
and key enabler of all warfighting
systems. If our service members are
not operating at maximum capacity,
the entire system suffers.
Achieving human
performance optimization
requires that the warfighter—and the Military Health System itself—
be continually honed and strengthened. Our goal is to ensure
that all service members understand the resources available
to them to be mission-ready. Read more at http://bit.ly/cx0mNz.

RESEARCH ROUND UP
Research Roundup:
Nanotechnology May Hold
the Answer to Treating
Depression
Alleviating the immeasurable impact of
depression may come down to a single
molecule measured in nanometers, or
billionths of a meter.
A team of researchers supported by the
U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel
Command’s Telemedicine and Advanced
Technology Research Center is working
toward becoming the first to develop a
way to “tag” single molecules in live cells
to track their movement. The team has
successfully tracked serotonin receptor
molecules through a cell and back to the
surface.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that
regulates mood. A clearer understanding of
its mechanisms of action may lead to more
effective treatments for clinical depression
and post traumatic stress disorder.
TATRC chief scientist Dr. Charles
Peterson said, “The science here is very
exciting, and TATRC is pleased to be
supporting what could lead to significant
breakthroughs in treating a range of
neurochemical disorders.” Read more at
http://bit.ly/cKbenH.
CONTACT US
Let us know what you’d like to see in
future issues of MHS Vital Signs.
Please contact us at
mhs_vitalsigns@tma.osd.mil.
SUBSCRIBE to MHS Vital Signs!
http://bit.ly/F8G6i
Warrior Care Spotlight: GPS-Equipped Parachutes
Deliver Blood From the Sky to Save Lives
A new and exciting method to deliver blood
through parachute drops may help quickly
save the lives of military service members in
theater. The Joint Medical Distance Support
and Evacuation Joint Capability Technology
Demonstration project—a U.S. military
program comprised of Defense Research and
Engineering, U.S. Joint Forces Command,
the Army, Navy and Air Force—is working on
a special delivery system designed to accurately deliver urgently needed blood
to warfighters in battle. Blood banking officers from the Armed Services Blood
Program are working with the program to test the effectiveness of these systems.
The new delivery method would use GPS-guided parachutes to deliver blood to
service members in theater. It is a significant development that if approved will
have life-saving consequences. Read more at http://bit.ly/cH1zdy.
MHS Profiles: We Are the MHS
This month we profile three exemplary individuals whose dedication and
excellence make them role models both
domestically and abroad. While they come
from all branches, ranks and backgrounds,
each goes to work every day with a single
mission: They are committed to making a
positive, lasting difference while improving
the lives of service members, veterans and
their families. Read more at
http://bit.ly/dgPrUU.
Army Looking at Yoga, Acupuncture to Treat Pain
The Army’s health care system may soon see changes in how soldiers are treated
for pain, according to a recent report released by the Army’s surgeon general that
recommends 109 changes.
The Pain Management Task Force’s final report, which was initiated by Lt. Gen.
Eric B. Schoomaker in August 2009, addresses the lack of a comprehensive pain-
management strategy across the Army and suggests alternative treatments to
medication such as acupuncture, meditation, biofeedback and yoga.
Schoomaker explained that with the
increasing numbers of soldiers returning
What is a bit.ly?
from combat with severe wounds, reports of
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medication abuse and suicides with pain as
that eliminates the need
a possible factor are troubling. Read more at
to type out long Web
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addresses. Just type in
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Web browser and you will
be taken to the correct
page at health.mil. Enjoy!