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Following are frequently asked questions and answers about the Health Related Behaviors Survey.
Q1:
What is the purpose of the 2024 DOD Health Related Behaviors Survey?
A:
This survey assesses the health and health-related behaviors of service members that have the potential to impact readiness. Results from scientific research using the data will be used to monitor service members’ needs, develop policies, and improve health programs and services for military members.
Q3:
Who is doing this study?
A:
The Department of Defense asked the RAND Corporation and its data collection partner, Westat, to conduct an independent, objective assessment of service members’ health status and health related behaviors.
Q4:
Who is the RAND Corporation?
A:
RAND is a private, nonprofit organization that conducts research and analysis to help improve public policy and decision-making.
Q5:
Who is Westat?
A:
Westat is a leading consulting services and technology solutions firm and manages the technical aspects of the web survey operations and can help you with any computer or technical problems.
Q6:
Why did you pick me?
A:
You were randomly selected from all active duty and Coast Guard personnel to represent your Service branch in this important research.
Q7:
How did you get my name?
A:
We obtained your name from the Defense Manpower Data Center, which maintains DOD personnel records. Because we are doing an official, approved DOD survey, DMDC was authorized to give us military members’ names and contact information for research purposes only. We are just using your name to send you information about the survey via email and mail. Only study staff will be able to link your survey responses to your contact information via a unique survey ID code. The survey is confidential.
Q8:
How will the survey findings be used?
A:
RAND will report survey findings in a way that does not identify individuals to the Services, DOD, or the public. The information you provide will be combined with that from other military personnel to prepare statistical reports. At no time will your individual data be reported.
Q9:
Why should I participate?
A:
This is your chance to be heard on issues that directly affect the health, well-being, and readiness of military members. The survey results will help inform DOD of potential health problems in the military and help suggest ways to solve or prevent them.
Q10:
Will my answers be kept private?
A:
Yes. As noted earlier, this survey is confidential. This means that RAND and Westat will not give DOD information about who participated in the study, or provide your responses to them in a way that can identify you. DOD has agreed to this condition to protect your privacy.
Q12:
Do I have to take the survey?
A:
The survey is entirely voluntary. If you choose to take the survey, you may stop at any time. You may also skip any question you do not wish to answer.
Q13:
Did I already answer these questions in earlier DOD surveys?
A:
Some service members may have completed surveys like this one in the past. This survey is conducted approximately every three years to get a comprehensive update about the health behaviors of military members. Since DOD wants to understand trends in members’ experiences in the Services, it is important that you participate in the 2024 Survey to tell us about your current health.
Q17:
What do I do if I experience any discomfort or distress from filling out the survey?
A:
Some questions on the survey are sensitive in nature and it is possible that you may feel discomfort in answering one or more of these items. If you are having any suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately. We encourage you to contact your unit’s chaplain or a mental health professional. Other resources can be found below:
- Military Crisis Line Dial 988 then PRESS 1.
This is a free, confidential resource for ALL service members. Confidential support and consultation are available. Dial 988 (then press 1), or send a text to 838255. Live chat is available via the Military Crisis Line website: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat/
- In Europe, call: 844-702-5495 or DSN 988
- In the Pacific, call: 844-702-5493 or DSN 988
- In Southwest Asia, call: 855-422-7719 or DSN 988
-
Military OneSource (https://www.militaryonesource.com) is a free 24 hour service that is available 7 days a week to provide a full range of services, across the deployment cycle, to military personnel and their families, at no cost. They can be reached at: Stateside: CONUS: 1-800-342-9647 / Overseas: OCONUS Universal Free Phone: 800-342-9647 or 703-253-7599 / En Español llame al: 800-342-9647 / TTY/TDD: dial 711 and then provide the toll-free number (1-800-342-9647). Live chat is also available via the Military One Source website.
- DoD Safe Helpline (https://www.safehelpline.org/) provides worldwide live, confidential support, 24/7. You can initiate a report and search for your nearest Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC). You can find links to Service-specific reporting resources and access information about the prevention of and response to sexual assault on their website or by calling the hotline at 1-877-995-5247. Live chat is also available via the DoD Safe Helpline website.
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Last Updated: July 31, 2024