Context-Specific Economic Evaluation for Molecular Pathology Tests: An Application in Colorectal Cancer in the West of Scotland.

Objectives: The cost-effectiveness of molecular pathology testing is highly context dependent. The field is fast-moving, and national health technology assessment may not be relevant or timely for local decision makers. This study illustrates a method of context-specific economic evaluation that can be carried out in a limited timescale without extensive resources.

The health and cost implications of high body mass index in Australian defence force personnel.

Background: Frequent illness and injury among workers with high body mass index (BMI) can raise the costs of employee healthcare and reduce workforce maintenance and productivity. These issues are particularly important in vocational settings such as the military, which require good physical health, regular attendance and teamwork to operate efficiently. The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of injury and illness, absenteeism, productivity, healthcare usage and administrative outcomes among Australian Defence Force personnel with varying BMI.

Mortality risk factors during the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic in the Australian army.

Background: Understanding the risk of mortality during the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic could inform preparations for a future pandemic.

Methods: Prospectively collected demographic, hospitalization, and death data from all individuals who served in the Australian Imperial Force from 1914 through 1919 in Europe and the Middle East were abstracted from archived records. Analyses were conducted to determine mortality risk factors.

Australian military primary care practitioners do not believe clinical practice guidelines are needed for postdeployment medically unexplained symptoms.

In Australia, little research has been undertaken on the development of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) to assist with the impact of postdeployment ill-health including medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) and it has been unclear whether such a development is desired by Australian primary care practitioners. In response an empirical investigation into the perceptions and experiences of 24 medical officers from the Australian military with regard to postdeployment ill-health, medically unexplained symptoms, and the potential development of CPGs in this area was undertaken. The analysis suggests that although MUS are accepted as common in general practice they are not perceived by practitioners to be as prevalent in the Australian Defense Forces.

An evaluation of the effect of military service on mortality: quantifying the healthy soldier effect.

Purpose: The healthy soldier effect denotes the proposition that military populations are likely to be healthier than other populations. A systematic review was conducted which aimed to quantify the magnitude of the healthy soldier effect.

Methods: Studies containing mortality rates of military personnel were identified from multiple electronic databases.

The B'Active programme for overweight primary school children in Glasgow: determining the prevalence of overweight and obesity and piloting an activity intervention.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in primary school children in Glasgow and to evaluate a pilot activity programme for overweight and obese children. BMI was measured in 1548 children. Overweight, obesity and severe obesity were defined as BMI > or =85th, 95th and 98th centile, respectively.