A Longitudinal Study of Prevalence Ratios for Musculoskeletal Back Injury Among U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Personnel, 2009-2015

Abstract

There was an increasing prevalence of back pain across the DoN from 2009 to 2015. Different occupational categories demonstrate different prevalence of back pain. Surprisingly, combat occupations and aviators were among the groups with the lowest prevalence. Lifestyle factors such as excess body weight and use of tobacco products are clearly associated with increased prevalence. These results could inform military leaders with regard to setting policies that could increase medical readiness.