Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #110017

Mary K. Wargo, MHS¹, Aaron I. Schneiderman, PhD, RN², Barbara A. Curbow, PhD³, Han K. Kang, DrPH², and Stephanie M. Green, MPH². (1) War-Related Illness & Injury Study Center (WRIISC), U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 50 Irving Street, NW (MS 11), Washington, DC 20422, (2) War-Related Illness & Injury Study Center (WRIISC), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 50 Irving Street, NW (MS 11), Washington, DC 20422, 202-745-8000 x7585, stephanie.green3@med.va.gov, (3) Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health, 624 N Broadway 7th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21205

Purpose: In the context of a war on terror, threat of chemical or biological (CB) attack is relevant to health workers who must be prepared to treat attack victims. Protective gear enables work in contaminated environments. Short-term physical and psychological effects of working in protective gear are known, but less is understood about long-term concerns of individuals who experienced threat of CB attack. Project objectives are to determine levels of concern, belief in health effects, and informational needs of Gulf War I (GW) veterans who experienced CB threat based upon self-reported experience of wearing protective gear or hearing chemical alarms.

Methods: GW veterans (n=1700) were randomly sampled to receive a mailed survey on exposure experience and preferred health communication sources. 794 GW veterans completed the survey. Results are presented for individuals who reported serving only in the GW (n = 651).

Results: Respondents were an average of 42.5 years old and 80.6% were male. The most frequently reported experience was having worn protective gear or heard chemical alarms (n=528, 81.6%). 33.6% of those who reported this were “very concerned”, and 23.1% believed it was affecting their health. These veterans identified doctors and the Internet as likely sources for exposure information.

Implications: Over a decade after the threat of CB attack, uncertainty and a desire for more CB information exists among GW veterans. Ambiguous consequences may make CB threats especially stressful. Health risk communicators should be prepared with thoughtful messages to alleviate long-term anxiety for potentially exposed individuals.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Recognize potential long-term needs of individuals who have experienced the threat of chemical or biological attack.
• 2. List three preferred sources of health information related to specific exposures for Gulf War veterans
• 3. Discuss the dual role of protective gear as a safety precaution and symbol of CB attack.

Keywords: Health Communications, Veterans

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.