The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs wants Sailors to participate in the 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey (HRBS) beginning Sept. 8 to assess the health status of service members.

The survey is being launched by the RAND Corporation in coordination with IFC International. The HRBS is conducted every three years and assesses the health related behaviors and lifestyles of military personnel and the potential to impact readiness. Sailors throughout the Navy are chosen at random from the Defense Manpower Data Center to participate in the anonymous survey.

"The Sailors who will take this survey will help us learn about the work we're already doing and how we can get better," said Rear Adm. Ann Burkhardt, director, 21st Century Sailor Office. "This will shape and guide the programs we're running that keep Sailors healthy and resilient, and that's why their feedback is critical."

The voluntary HRBS is estimated to take 40-minutes to complete, and will be sent to Sailors through an initial invitation letter, followed by a secure-email invitation or postcard. The data obtained from Sailors' responses will inform DoD of potential health problems in the military and help suggest ways to solve or prevent them. The survey will give service members a chance to voice their opinions on issues that affect their health, careers and well-being of family members. The results of the survey will be published.

For question or concerns about the HRBS, Sailors are encouraged to contact the IFC Survey Helpdesk tool free at 1-844-430-9640, or by email at DoD2015HealthSurvey@icfsurveysupport.com. For questions regarding the overall study, contact RAND at email HRBS2015@rand.org.

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