Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) Health Studies (2013)

The key findings of the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) Census and Prospective Health Studies were launched by the Chief of the Defence Force on 8 August 2013.  These studies are part of the Military Health Outcomes Program (MilHOP), a significant body of research commissioned by the Department of Defence to determine the impact of operational deployment on the health and wellbeing of service men and women.

The results suggest that ADF members deployed to the MEAO are generally physically and mentally healthy.  However, members repeatedly exposed to traumatic experiences, either at home or on deployment, are more likely to develop mental health concerns.

DVA continues to seek opportunities to improve and evolve service models to meet the changing needs of clients and will use the studies’ findings to help inform future research priorities within DVA’s Strategic Research model.

Further information on the studies and access to the reports is available on the Department of Defence’s Military Health Outcomes Program webpage