Her March 1 talk on health issues of deploying women coincided with the start of National Women's History Month. DoD's top doctor said safeguarding military women's health is an essential part of her responsibilities. A Naval Reserve officer, Bailey emphasized that women's health is important to the military's success in peace and war because women today serve in more military occupational specialties than ever before.
Injuries are part of what happens when people go on deployment.
In thinking about force health protection, it's important that we think about how people get injured in a deployment, sometimes unrelated to combat. Heat injuries are a major health problem, Bailey said. Troops who wear chemical and biological protective clothing improperly can suffer dehydration, heat stroke, heat cramps or heat exhaustion. But, she said, there are many ways to combat heat injuries. Solving health problems for women also helps men who are exposed to the same kinds of injuries, Bailey said.