Skip to main content

Military Health System

Test of Sitewide Banner

This is a test of the sitewide banner capability. In the case of an emergency, site visitors would be able to visit the news page for addition information.

How the military stays ready during disease outbreaks

Image of Headshot of Dr. Sanchez. Dr. Toti Sanchez is a senior scientist and deputy chief at Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch

A Q & A with Dr. Jose L. (Toti) Sanchez, Senior Scientist & Deputy Chief, AFHSB


What is your focus area?

A major component of my work is to ensure that major health surveillance program plans and initiatives are current and reflect alignment with the Defense Health Agency’s Strategic Plan. Under the guidance of AFHSB’s Chief, I also help to build strong scientific and collaborative relationships within the Public Health Directorate.

How do you monitor disease outbreaks?

I spend a significant amount of time monitoring the many peer-reviewed, governmental and international association reports. I also analyze the disease outbreak reports and coordinate data gathering and report generation from AFHSB’s Global Emerging Infections Surveillance, Epidemiology and Analysis), and Integrated Biosurveillance  sections.

In my role as Senior Scientist at AFHSB, I serve on the Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program Operational Steering Committee, a “think-tank” committee of experts who provide guidance on military-relevant research efforts in support of the U.S. military’s force health protection needs. I also work as an instructor at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. I ensure students and residents in public health learn the basic skills of outbreak investigation, associated surveillance, and research initiatives.

How do you support AFHSB's response to COVID-19?

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed an immense workload on our AFHSB staff to produce analyses and reports for DHA leadership, senior DOD officials, the Secretary of Defense, and respond to questions from Congressional officials. In my role as Deputy Chief, AFHSB, I ensure that reports, documents and COVID-19 related policy reviews are accurate and produced in a timely fashion from AFHSB’s three sections. Since February 2020, I’ve reviewed and provided input to nearly 70 executive summaries , several information and position papers, and at least 20 weekly surveillance summaries addressing COVID-19 issues.

Where have you traveled in this role?

My travel is mainly limited to the National Capital Region. I’ve participated in tabletop drills such as an interagency simulation for Crimson Contagion, a response to a severe influenza pandemic. I’ve also served as a representative to the Defense Health Board to evaluate health surveillance matters such as COVID-19 and respiratory infections in support of DHA’s Combat Support Agency mission.

You also may be interested in...

MSMR volume 30 issue 3 March 2023

Report
3/1/2023

March 2023 issue of MSMR, the Medical Surveillance Monthly Report

Medical Surveillance Monthly Report Volume 30 Number 2, February 2023

Report
2/1/2023

This issue of the peer-reviewed monthly journal published by the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division (AFHSD) features the articles: Changing of the Guard: MSMR’s Second Editor-in-Chief Retires; Brief Report: Hospitalizations Among Active Duty Members of the U.S. Coast Guard, Fiscal Year 2021; Historical Perspective: The Critical Role of Disease and Non-Battle Injuries in Soldiers Isolated on Pacific Islands During the Second World War; From the Editor’s Desk.

2000-2022 Q2 DOD Worldwide Numbers for TBI

Report
11/9/2022

TBICoE is the Defense Department’s office of responsibility for tracking traumatic brain injury data in the U.S. military. Here you’ll find data on the number of active-duty service members—anywhere U.S. forces are located—with a first-time TBI diagnosis from calendar year 2000 through the second quarter of 2022. The data is also broken down by each branch of the armed services.

2022 (Q2) DOD Worldwide Numbers for TBI

Report
11/9/2022

TBICoE is the Defense Department’s office of responsibility for tracking traumatic brain injury data in the U.S. military. Here you’ll find data on the number of active-duty service members—anywhere U.S. forces are located—with a first-time TBI diagnosis in the calendar year 2022 through the second quarter. The data is also broken down by each branch of the armed services.

AFHSD 2021 Annual Report and 2020 Summary

Report
9/23/2022

This annual report provides a summary of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division's accomplishments during 2021.

Global Influenza Summary: July 8, 2018

Report
7/8/2018

Global Influenza Summary: May 13, 2018

Report
5/13/2018

Global Influenza Summary: April 8, 2018

Report
4/8/2018

Global Influenza Summary: March 25, 2018

Report
3/25/2018

Global Influenza Summary: Jan. 28, 2018

Report
1/28/2018

Global Influenza Summary: December 31, 2017

Report
12/31/2017

Global Influenza Summary: December 24, 2017

Report
12/24/2017

Global Influenza Summary: December 10, 2017

Report
12/10/2017

Global Influenza Summary: November 19, 2017

Report
11/19/2017

Global Influenza Summary: October 29, 2017

Report
10/29/2017
Page 1 of 3 , showing items 1 - 15
First < 1 2 3 > Last 
Refine your search
Last Updated: August 22, 2022
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery