Kelsee M. Stromberg is a postdoctoral researcher in the University of Utah's UP3RK Program, holding a PhD in Clinical and Translational Epidemiology from the University of Utah and an MPH from the University of New England. Her research examines the intersection of chronic pain and productive activity among post-9/11 veterans. Dr. Stromberg is conducting longitudinal analysis using the Veterans Metrics Initiative (TVMI) dataset to examine post 9/11 veteran productive activity outcomes. Her work focuses on two key areas analyzing how veterans with and without chronic pain engage in different types of work—paid, unpaid, both, or neither. Additionally, she is analyzing the clustering of chronic pain and its comorbidities on the impact of productive activity outcomes in post 9/11 veterans.
Dr. Stromberg is developing a K-Award proposal focused on chronic pain trajectories in the veteran population. Her research examines the critical transition from manageable chronic pain to high-impact chronic pain that significantly disables daily functioning, and how pain clusters with other service-related conditions to affect long-term outcomes. Her research supports and adds to the knowledge base of veteran functioning and community reintegration by understanding pain not as an isolated symptom but as part of complex and interconnected health patterns.
Updates:
Dr. Stromberg is currently conducting longitudinal analysis using the Veteran Metrics Initiative (TVMI) dataset to examine veteran productive activity outcomes. Her research focuses on two key areas:
- Chronic Pain & Productive Activity: Analyzing how veterans with and without chronic pain engage in different types of work (paid, unpaid, both, or neither)
- Sex Differences in Veteran Employment: Examining productive activity trajectory differences between male and female veterans while controlling for comorbidities (TBI, PTSD, depression, anxiety)
K-Award Development
Dr. Stromberg is developing a K-Award proposal focused on chronic pain in the veteran population. This research examines:
- The transition from manageable chronic pain to high-impact chronic pain (pain that significantly disables daily functioning)
- How pain trajectories evolve from "pain you live with" to "pain that disables you"
Recent Publication
“Linking Neurobehavioral Symptoms to Productive Activities in Post-9/11 Veterans: A Correlational Analysis Using TVMI Data”
https://academic.oup.com/milmed/advance-article/doi/10.1093/milmed/usaf462/8300395
This study utilizes the TVMI dataset from Dr. Stromberg's dissertation research to advance understanding of veteran health and employment outcomes.
