Many troops in assaults also have TBI

[unhappycamper]

Many troops in assaults also have TBI
By Kelly Kennedy - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Feb 22, 2008 15:55:18 EST

A recent study of service members hospitalized for injuries sustained in fistfights with no other weapons involved showed that one-fifth also had mental health or substance abuse issues.

The most common complaint was traumatic brain injury.

However, the overall number of service members injured in fistfights has gone down by half in the past nine years, save for two categories: Marines and women.

A Medical Surveillance Monthly Report study found that from 1990 to 1999, 8,778 service members were hospitalized at military facilities with injuries after being assaulted. In a study from 1998 to 2007, the number was 4,213.

But that may not be the result of a softer, kinder military, according to the authors of the more recent study, Army Capts. Michael Boivin and Stephen Taubman. They say the dwindling numbers are likely due to the large number of troops deployed for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, — especially infantrymen, the “most likely to be beaten up” among the job categories in the study.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/02/military_220208_assaults_w/