Burden of musculoskeletal disease and nonbattle nontraumatic injury in both war and disaster zones.

Disasters, both man-made and natural, are a known cause of morbidity and mortality among vulnerable populations. The initial phase of public health response typically addresses immediate traumatic injury or death in the wake of a disaster. However, little is known about the magnitude and cost of subsequent nontraumatic injury and illness in disaster zones. Known as ``the hidden epidemic,'' the incidence and epidemiology of disease and nonbattle injuries among military service members in deployed settings has been more extensively investigated and may serve as a proxy for the evaluation of civilian populations following natural disaster. Further, prior reports from the military setting may serve to inform the broader population on the ultimate burden of nontraumatic injury and illness in recent disasters, particularly as they relate to musculoskeletal health.