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The HHA program supports defense acquisition programs via an integrated effort intended to reduce occupational health hazard risks associated with use of materials and throughout the life cycle of materiel. This program performs assessments and recommends controls of identified health hazards associated with weapon systems, munitions, hazardous materials, fuels, equipment, clothing, training devices, and more. Navy Medicine provides this service for acquisition programs supporting submarines, surface vessels, aircraft, vehicles, weapons systems, and shore activities. The HHA is designed to assist with maintaining operational readiness, capabilities, and performance by reducing the risk of health hazards associated with use of materials and throughout the life cycle of materiel.
Risk assessment and management is a cyclical process involving hazard anticipation and identification, risk assessment, identifying control options, making risk decisions, mitigating risk including control implementation, and evaluation of risk mitigation and control measures. HHAs will provide valuable information for the risk assessment process and can be requested by U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps activities to inform acquisition program managers of potential health effects during the use of a product, chemical, or the operation of equipment. Assessments may be requested to evaluate new products or processes, consider changes to previously evaluated products and processes, or address reformulations of products.
More information on requesting a HHA can be found here: NMCFHPC IH ATS REQUESTING HEALTH HAZARD ASSESSMENT June 2023
If the request is related to a weapon system, additional information for weapons acquisition program managers can be found here: NMCFHPC IH ATS REQUESTING WEAPONS HHA Oct 2024
Examples of HHA request topics include:
The HHA program is carried out under BUMEDINST 6270.8C. Specific requirements for the HHA process requirements are further defined in internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for references, writing and review.
Clinical guidance, including recognition, management and clinical isolation guidance are generally covered by CDC: CDC Clinical Overview
Clinical management for Fleet medical personnel can be found in the NMCFHPC Fleet Mpox Medical Guidance
Clinical guidance for MTFs can be found in the DHA Mpox Guidance Update_5Sept2024
Currently, neither mpox testing nor treatment are readily available in a forward deployed operational setting. Units should identify suspected cases, isolate them, and move them for care at an MTF when operationally feasible.
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery 7700 Arlington Blvd. Ste. 5113 Falls Church, VA 22042-5113 This is an official U.S. Navy website This is a Department of Defense (DoD) Internet computer system. General Navy Medical Inquiries (to Bureau of Medicine and Surgery): usn.ncr.bumedfchva.list.bumed---pao@health.mil