Accession Number:

ADA556327

Title:

Examination of Post-Service Health-Related Quality of Life Among Rural and Urban Military Members of The Millennium Cohort Study

Descriptive Note:

Journal article

Corporate Author:

ARMY RESEARCH INST OF ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE NATICK MA

Personal Author(s):

• Proctor, Susan P.
• Jones, Kelly A.
• Wells, Timothy S.
• Boyko, Edward J.
• Smith, Tyler C.

Report Date:

2011-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

26.0

Abstract:

Little information exists on the health-related quality of life HRQL of U.S. veterans based on rural versus urban status, especially those in younger age groups, and whether deployment influences this outcome. We addressed these questions in the Millennium Cohort Study, a prospective investigation of U.S. military personnel assessed first in 2001 and then subsequently every three years via self-administered questionnaires. Participants separated from the military at the time of the most recent survey were eligible n 10,738. HRQL was assessed using the SF-36V Physical Component Summary PCS and Mental Component Summary MCS scores. Rural status was assigned from zip codes using the Rural-Urban Commuting Area classification. The mean age of participants was 35 years SD 8.98. Compared with urban dwellers, rural residents reported significantly lower unadjusted mean PCS 49.80 vs. 50.42 and MCS 49.97 vs. 50.81 scores, but differences became nonsignificant after covariate adjustment. No interaction was seen between deployment and rural status. Rural status is not independently associated with HRQL among recent U.S. veterans.

Descriptors:

• *VETERANS(MILITARY PERSONNEL)
• AGING(PHYSIOLOGY)
• HEALTH SURVEYS
• REPRINTS
• RURAL AREAS
• URBAN AREAS

Subject Categories:

• Medicine and Medical Research
• Military Forces and Organizations

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE