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Results for the 2015 HRBS

Note: This page contains results from the 2015 HRBS. RAND fielded the survey three years later in 2018, and published the most-recent findings in 2021.

The Health Related Behaviors Survey (HRBS) is the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)'s flagship survey for understanding the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of service members. Fielded periodically for more than 30 years, the HRBS asks questions about health-related issues that can affect force readiness or the ability to meet the demands of military life.

The Defense Health Agency asked RAND to field the 2015 HRBS among active component U.S. military service members in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard between November 2015 and March 2016. Roughly 17,000 service members participated in the survey. The survey examined health-related behaviors in several areas, including:

health promotion and disease prevention
substance use
mental and emotional health
physical health and functional limitations
sexual behavior and health
sexual orientation, transgender identity and health
deployment experiences and health.

Overview

Research
How Healthy Are U.S. Service Members?
The DoD's Health Related Behaviors Survey asks about health and well-being issues that can affect force readiness. Results from the 2015 survey suggest that certain groups of service members warrant targeted intervention to prevent negative health outcomes and improve behaviors.
Jun 21, 2018

Research Summary
Findings of the Health Related Behaviors Survey
Jun 21, 2018

Findings by Topic

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Among U.S. Active-Duty Service Members
The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey asked active-duty service members about physical activity, weight status, routine medical care, alternative medicine, sleep, supplements and energy drinks, and texting while driving.

Substance Use

Substance Use Among U.S. Active-Duty Service Members
The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey asked active-duty service members about their use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit and prescription drugs. Cigarette smoking in the military has decreased over the past decade, but rates of binge drinking are still high enough to cause concern.

Mental and Emotional Health

Mental and Emotional Health Among U.S. Active-Duty Service Members
The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey asked active-duty service members about mental health indicators, social and emotional factors associated with mental health, sexual assault and physical abuse history, non-suicidal self-injury, suicidality, and use of mental health services.

Physical Health and Functioning

Physical Health and Functional Limitations Among U.S. Active-Duty Service Members
The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey asked active-duty service members about chronic medical conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels; physical symptoms, such as back or joint pain; and health-related functional limitations at work or at home.

Sexual Behavior and Health

Sexual Behavior and Health Among U.S. Active-Duty Service Members
The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey asked active-duty service members about risky sexual practices, contraceptive use and unintended pregnancy, and HIV testing. Levels of sexual risk behaviors across the services may be great enough to increase the potential for rapid spread of HIV and other STIs.

Sexual Orientation and Health

Sexual Orientation, Transgender Identity, and Health Among U.S. Active-Duty Service Members
The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey provides the first direct estimate of the percentage of service personnel who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT). Results from the survey made possible a comparison of various health behaviors and outcomes among LGBT and non-LGBT service members.

Deployment Experiences and Health

Deployment Experiences and Health Among U.S. Active-Duty Service Members
The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey asked active-duty service members about the frequency and duration of deployments, their levels of exposure to combat-related experiences, the prevalence of deployment-related injuries and substance use, and deployment-related mental and physical health.

Findings by Service

All Service Members

Are They Living Healthy? How Well Are Service Members Taking Care of Themselves

The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of active-duty service members. This infographic reports key findings across the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard.

Air Force

Are They Living Healthy? How Well Are Airmen Taking Care of Themselves

The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of active-duty service members. This infographic reports key findings across the Air Force.

Army

Are They Living Healthy? How Well Are Soldiers Taking Care of Themselves

The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of active-duty service members. This infographic reports key findings across the Army.

Marine Corps

Are They Living Healthy? How Well Are Marines Taking Care of Themselves

The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of active-duty service members. This infographic reports key findings across the Marine Corps.

Navy

Are They Living Healthy? How Well Are Sailors Taking Care of Themselves

The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of active-duty service members. This infographic reports key findings across the Navy.

Coast Guard

Are They Living Healthy? How Well Are Coast Guardsmen Taking Care of Themselves

The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of active-duty service members. This infographic reports key findings across the Coast Guard.