Military Population Health Outcomes Associated with Hospitalization for COVID-19 infection between 1 March 2020 and 31 December 2022

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been shown to increase certain health outcomes including death, respiratory, and other conditions. It has increased the overall demand on the Military Health System (MHS). There are limited studies that measure the association between demographics and health risk factors and COVID-19 related adverse health outcomes for Department of Defense (DoD) beneficiaries.METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to assess the associations between COVID-19 hospitalization and adverse health outcomes for MHS beneficiary population adjusting for demographics and risk factors using the DoD Joint Trauma Registry (JTR) COVID-19 Registry database. RESULTS: 8,769 cases were included in this study. Among those who died after hospitalization from COVID-19 illness, the majority were 65 years and older (63%). Male sex assigned at birth appeared be a significant predictor for being in a higher risk disposition group. Race appeared to be a minimal predictor of being in a higher risk disposition group. Burn pit exposure did not appear to be a significant predictor of being in a higher risk disposition group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that those who were 65 years of age and older with more risk factors for severe disease had the highest odds of death and requiring ongoing care at time of hospital discharge when compared to those under 65 with fewer risk factors after adjusting for sex assigned at birth, race, rank/grade, burn pit registry status, and smoking status.