Data-Driven Force Health Protection is a Vital Combat Multiplier

MUNICH, Germany — As modern battlefields grow increasingly complex and lethal, integrating real-time medical data and advanced analytics is proving to b… MUNICH, Germany — As modern battlefields grow increasingly complex and lethal, integrating real-time medical data and advanced analytics is proving to be far more than just clinical support and improvement – it is an active combat multiplier. A U.S. Army Medical Service Corps officer assigned to Medical Readiness Command -Europe emphasized this concept for operational evolution during the bi-annual NATO Force Health Protection Summit, held Oct. 20-22 at the NATO Force Health Protection Center of Excellence in Munich. Approximately 150 NATO and Allied force health protection subject matter experts attended the three-day event.

During the summit, Col. Paul Hester, chief data officer and chief of Force Health Protection for Medical Readiness Command-Europe, presented on preserving combat power and warfighter lethality in contested multi-domain operations. His presentation was titled "Data IS Force Health Protection." According to senior Army medical experts, Force Health Protection represents the integrated set of measures designed to prevent disease and injury, ensure medical readiness, and protect U.S. forces against occupational and environmental hazards across all operational environments. "Emerging system integration (SI) technologies and systems can be used to enhance U.S. Army soldier capabilities and capacity when operating for prolonged periods of time in austere and