During my 20 years in military medicine, I witnessed the immense demands placed on U.S. service members. They need to perform at their best, even in tough conditions. But their success isn’t just about training or equipment. It relies on their mental and physical health.
Many service members face health problems like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure, just like the rest of the country. These issues can threaten military readiness and national security.
A significant concern is that chronic diseases have led to a smaller pool of eligible recruits. A Pentagon study showed that 77% of young Americans wouldn’t qualify for military service without waivers for health concerns or weight issues.
Among those who do qualify, many arrive with pre-existing health conditions. The Air Force has even changed training schedules to be less intense at first, aiming to help new recruits get in shape and reduce injuries.
After initial training, many Air Force members struggle with their health. Issues like prediabetes and obesity are becoming more common. Research has shown that low physical activity among recruits can increase the risk of injuries that prevent them from serving effectively.
When service members have chronic health problems, they are more prone to injuries and illnesses, making them less fit for duty. These issues also place a heavy financial burden on military healthcare, costing nearly $59 billion in 2024 alone to manage mostly preventable conditions.
To tackle these growing health concerns, we need to adopt new strategies focusing on lifestyle changes. The military recognizes this need. For instance, the U.S. Space Force recently launched an education initiative on lifestyle medicine, teaching its members about physical and mental health. This approach emphasizes six key areas: nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, social connections, and avoiding harmful substances.
Other branches, like the Navy, Army, and Air Force, are also integrating lifestyle medicine into their healthcare practices. The Air Force has reported success stories using these six pillars and has incorporated lifestyle medicine training into residency programs. Many healthcare professionals across branches are now certified in this approach.
Education about healthy lifestyles is vital for service members, who often face challenges like limited access to healthy food, irregular sleep, and high-stress situations. While annual health assessments help identify serious health concerns, they are often done virtually, which may overlook issues like nutrition that significantly affect health.
The health assessments include recommendations, but service members might not understand their importance, especially regarding nutrition and its impact on military readiness. Change requires support from knowledgeable healthcare professionals, yet the current assessment methods may miss opportunities to engage service members effectively.
To make the most of lifestyle medicine, we need to train military healthcare teams in these interventions and establish consistent, evidence-based guidelines across all branches. Medical education often falls short in areas like nutrition and fitness, leaving healthcare providers unprepared to discuss these crucial topics with their patients.
Healthcare teams need to share a common language to effectively promote lifestyle changes. Studies show that clinicians who practice healthy behaviors are more likely to talk about them with patients, leading to better adoption of healthy habits. Raising awareness through public campaigns can help foster a culture of healthy living within the military.
We shouldn’t delay. By investing in lifestyle education now, we can enhance readiness, reduce healthcare costs, and ensure that our service members are prepared, both physically and mentally, for their important roles.
Mary Anne Kiel, MD, is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and has been a leader in military healthcare initiatives.
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