The study was the first part of a prospective investigation of the physical and psychological health of a random sample of 20,000 UK service personnel, some of whom took part in Op TELIC (the 2003 War in Iraq) and others that did not. The study also provides a platform for a longer-term looking at physical, social and psychological aspects of military service in the 21st Century.

The first wave of this study was conducted from 2003 until 2006. Results from the first wave of the study can be downloaded from our publications page - the main two outcome papers are available below:

Main outcome papers
Hotopf M et al. The health of UK military personnel who deployed to the 2003 Iraq war: a cohort study. Lancet 2006: 367: 1731-174
Horn O et al. Is there an Iraq war syndrome? Comparison of the health of UK service personnel after the Gulf and Iraq wars. Lancet 2006: 367: 1742-1746.

Funding for next phase has been approved and data collection began at the end of 2007 and will continue until the end of 2008. Our aims are to study are to continue the investigation of those deployed to Iraq whilst also including a new cohort deployed to Afghanistan. Other aims include investigating differences between regulars and reservists, follow-up those that have left the Armed Forces, medical service use and examine longer term implications of medical countermeasures.

There is wide support for this study. The Principal Personnel Officers for the three services and the Surgeon General, as well as SSAFA and the Royal British Legion, fully support it.

The study is led by Professors' Wessely, Dandeker, Rona, Hotopf and Dr Fear. There are also links with neurology, immunology, psychology and general medicine.