The Armed Forces Epidemiological Board

Over the past fifty years, the Armed Forces Epidemiological Board and its Commissions have provided outstanding support to the Armed Forces of the United States. The Board was called upon time after time during periods of peace and conflict to address critical medical issues of military importance. These issues have varied from concerns regarding infectious diseases that confront our men and women in uniform to occupational and environmental threats associated with training and combat. The Board has also addressed questions on the military health-care-delivery system, the monitoring and surveillance of health conditions, and the prevention of chronic diseases.

The Armed Forces Epidemiological Board has always responded to the needs of the services with immediate, thorough, and sound recommendations. The guidance that this group of medical experts provided has resulted in unquestioned improvement of the health programs for the military community; morbidity and mortality have been reduced and our readiness mission has been attained. Due to their foresight, new research initiatives leading to further prevention of disease and injury have begun.

I take this opportunity, on the fiftieth anniversary of the Armed Forces Epidemiological Board, to express my heartfelt appreciation to the current and past members for their unselfish and dedicated efforts. I know that the Surgeons General of our sister services share this gratitude. The Board has served and continues to serve the military well.

Lieutenant General Frank F. Ledford, Jr.
The Surgeon General
U.S. Army

February 1990
Washington, D.C.