The Military Health System Data Repository: Leveraging Closed, Familial-Linked Electronic Health Record Data for a Large Generalizable United States Population

We aim to provide a thorough description of the healthcare system of the United States Department of Defense (DOD), also known as the Military Health System (MHS). The MHS Data Repository (MDR) is a highly valuable and well-published data source that has been in existence for many years; however, it has not been thoroughly presented in the literature in a way that would allow real world researchers outside the MHS to assess its fit for pharmaceutical research initiatives. The MDR offers a unique and powerful real-world data platform, distinguished by its closed clinical ecosystem, complete insurance claims data, Electronic Health Records (structured and unstructured), longitudinal familial linkage, and integration with biospecimen repositories, making it ideal for diverse retrospective and prospective research applications.