text: Chapter 5
  Essential Public Health Services. It is a major enabler for Army readiness and a major
  component of force health protection in its application throughout all Army activities.
  Levels of readiness and health in all Army populations are enhanced and sustained by
  applying the principles of public health to promote healthy behaviors and to prevent
  and minimize the impacts of diseases and injuries. According to the recent published
  AR 40-5 (May 2020), field preventive medicine is no longer a valid term. The term
  operational public health is now the term to describe the application of Public Health
  practices and conduct of Public Health-related activities within a geographic area
  where military operations are conducted by TOE units (AR 40-5). Examples of
  military operations include training and exercises conducted in field environments or
  locations outside of a permanent U.S. military installation, humanitarian support,
  contingency operations, and combat or stability operations. When emphasized by
  commanders and unit leaders, operational public health can effectively reduce and
  prevent DNBI and maximize the fighting strength of the force. For more information
  regarding Public Health Program and operational public health, refer to AR 40-5.
  MISSION
  5-1. The FHP mission set is a continuous process that begins with the entry of the Soldier into the military
  and is continuous throughout the Soldier’s military career. Force health protection includes those measures
  designed to promote, improve, or conserve the behavioral and physical well-being of Army personnel across
  the full range of military activities and operations. The successful employment of FHP activities enables a
  healthy and fit force, prevents injury and illness, and protects the force from health hazards.
  PROTECTION WARFIGHTING FUNCTION
  5-2. Operational public health falls under the protection warfighting function and is concerned with both
  the enemy threat and the health threat. The enemy threat produces operational casualties. It depends on the
  types of weapons used, the will of the enemy to fight, and other operational concerns. The health threat
  consists of diseases, OEH hazards, poisonous or toxic flora and fauna, medical effects of weapons, and
  physiological and psychological stressors. To counter the health threat and sustain health readiness, the
  following garrison-based public health activities must be considered in an operational setting: health
  surveillance, OEH surveillance and OEH risk management, disease vectors and pest management, food
  protection, water management, waste management, operational hearing services, health promotion, and heat,
  cold, and altitude (climatic injury prevention).
  5-3. The success of operational public health requires deliberate and consistent analysis and communication
  of health threats to inform individuals, and the implementation and enforcement of unit and individual
  countermeasures (for example, exposure controls, chemoprophylaxis, and immunizations) required to reduce
  associated health risks. Commanders and unit leaders must remain informed and proactively engaged to
  ensure the health of the Force; reduce health threats, stressors, and risks; and promote all available
  countermeasures.
  ORGANIZATIONS AND PERSONNEL
  5-4. Operational public health support is provided by preventive medicine units and staff officers.
  Preventive medicine detachments and teams provide operational public health support and consultation in
  the areas of health surveillance (inclusive of medical and DNBI surveillance), OEH surveillance (inclusive
  of OEH risk management and site assessments), disease vectors and pest management, water management,
  food protection, waste management, operational hearing services, and field hygiene and sanitation (inclusive
  of climatic injury prevention). Echelons above brigade staff support consists of preventive medicine staff
  officers organic to the MEDCOM (DS), MEDBDE (SPT), and MMB. These staff officers serve as the
  commander’s principal public health consultants and environmental sciences and engineer advisors.