MILITARY ACTIVE-DUTY REPRODUCTIVE + SEXUAL HEALTH (MARSH) RESEARCH PROGRAM
The MARSH Research Program is a multiphase research program that aims to improve readiness by decreasing incidence of negative sexual and reproductive health outcomes (e.g., sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancy, infertility) in the military. To address this problem, MARSH developed the electronic health intervention (i.e., smartphone app) Mission Wellness to targets health-risking sexual behaviors. MARSH just finished a clinical trial related to the first iteration of Mission Wellness (results pending), and is currently working to expand Mission Wellness to be more inclusive of the total force by expanding content related to family planning, related mental health, and HIV prevention (i.e., Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis [PrEP]).
MARSH leverages collaborations with military treatment facilities across the continental United States and OCONUS and partnerships with a teams of civilian content-matter and research methodology experts. Dr. Ryan Landoll at USU works with collaborators at The Miriam Hospital (Providence, RI), led by Dr. Sara Vargas, and Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton, FL), led by Dr. Candy Wilson (Ret, Col, USAF). MARSH also leverages other individual partnerships and collaborations, particularly Dr. Francis Obuseh and Ms. Amelia Ozemoya at the Defense Centers for Public Health – Portsmouth (DCPH-P) and the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA).
Our progress and success would not be possible without our sponsors:
USU’s Military Women’s Health Research Consortium
Defense Centers for Public Health – Portsmouth
TriService Nursing Research Program
Teaming up with DHA Connected Health Clearinghouse in 2019, it was found that there are no high-quality apps on the market that provide content related to sexual and reproductive health intervention, prevention, or education.
In 2020, MARSH completed a review, led by Dr. Sara Vargas, on sexual and reproductive health interventions in the military and found that there is little outcome data to support any existing sexual or reproductive health intervention in the military. Publication >
In 2022, MARSH completed a review, led by Dr. Ryan Landoll, on the use of the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST) and found variability in descriptions of MOST key elements and terminology. They proposed a checklist for reporting MOST studies to advance use and improve implementation and dissemination. Publication >
MARSH completed the initial development and evaluation of their interventional sexual and reproductive health app Mission Wellness in 2023.
Publications
Vargas, SE, Thornton, K, Norris, C, Gist, G, Clark, MF, Ramirez, L, Guillen, M, Guthrie, KM, & Landoll, RR. (2024). Sexual and reproductive health in military settings: A qualitative study. Military Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2024.2324644
*Vargas, S, *Landoll, R, Guthrie, KM, Quinlan, J, Clark, MF, Obuseh, F, & Ozemoya, A. (2024, August). Enhancing Mission Wellness: Iterative Optimization and Stakeholder Engagement to Promote Sexual and Reproductive Health in the United States Military. Military Medicine. [*Shared first authorship] https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usae099
*Landoll, RR, *Vargas, SE, Samardzic, KB, Clark, MF, & Guastaferro, K. (2022). The preparation phase in the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST): a systematic review and introduction of a reporting checklist. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 12(2), 291-303. https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibab146 [*Shared first authorship]
Vargas, SE, Norris, C, Landoll, RR, Crone, B, Clark, MF, Quinlan, JD, & Guthrie, KM. (2020). Interventions to Improve Sexual and Reproductive Health in US Active Duty Military Service Members: A Systematic Review. American Journal of Health Promotion, 34(5), 538–548. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890117120908511
Find the full list of invited presentations and publications on MARSH here.
LEAD INVESTIGATORS
RYAN LANDOLL, PhD, ABPP, Lt Col, USAFR PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Uniformed Services University
Faculty Page >
Publications >
SARA VARGAS, PhD CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
The Miriam Hospital/Brown University
Faculty Page >
Publications >
CANDY WILSON, PhD, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, Col(Ret), USAF CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Florida Atlantic University
Faculty Page >
Publications >
MILITARY COLLABORATIONS
CAMP LEJEUNE
Erica Monsees, MSN, LT, USN, Kameron Jacobs, HM2(FMF), USN,
& Kurt Monington, HM1, USN, & Michelle D. Rizzo-Pelley, MPH, REHS/RS, LT, USN
CAMP PENDLETON
Katherine Austin, MD, CAPT(Ret), USN, Kristin DeSantis, MD, LCDR, USN,
Claudia Jones, MSN, RN, CN, & Wendy Arnold, MD, CDR(Ret), USN
FORT BELVOIR
Sarah Jorgensen, DO
FORT DRUM
Todd Benham, PhD
FORT JACKSON
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON
Anne Gray, MD, Col(Ret), USAF & Cynthia Sacco, MD, Capt, USAF
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD
Jesse Reynolds, PA-C
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE
Michelle Rosales, Maj, USAF
NAVAL STATION GREAT LAKES
Kathleen Saul, PsyD, ABPP, LCDR, USN
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE
Anne Marie Kennedy, DO, Maj, USAF
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE
Courtney Halista, MD, Maj(Ret), USAF & Christina Valerio, MD, Maj, USAF
US NAVAL HOSPITAL OKINAWA
Joshua Sohn, MD, LT, USN
Contact Information
MARSH@usuhs.mil
301-295-5303