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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
 APHA 2005
 
5041.0: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 9:24 AM

Abstract #114705

Exposures of concern for veterans of the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War (1991), and the Bosnia-Kosovo peacekeeping activity

Aaron I. Schneiderman, PhD, RN1, Andrew E. Lincoln, ScD, MS1, Mary K. Wargo1, Barbara A. Curbow, PhD2, and Han K. Kang, DrPH1. (1) 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 X6236, aaron.schneiderman@med.va.gov, (2) Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N Broadway, Room 745, Baltimore, MD 21205

Purpose: Military combat may involve risks from lethal weaponry and other environmental and occupational hazards. Many veterans return from combat zones with concerns about environmental exposures and the potential health effects of military service. Healthcare workers must be prepared to respond to the health risk communication needs of veterans with exposure concerns. This study assessed the environmental exposure concerns of veterans of three recent conflicts.

Methods: A population-based sample of veterans from the Vietnam War (VN), Gulf War I (1991) (GW), and Bosnia-Kosovo (BK) peacekeeping activities (n=5000) were sent a postal survey inquiring about environmental exposures and associated level of concern.

Results: The overall response rate was 45% with differences by conflict cohort (VN 61%, GW 42%, BK 31%). Males represented 83% of respondents. The most prevalent exposures shared across all three conflicts include: diesel fuel, insect bites, harsh weather, local food, burning trash and feces, and exploding ammunition within one mile. The exposures of greatest concern regarding affect on health were: burning trash and feces (GW: 37%, BK: 25%); oil well fire-smoke (GW: 46%); herbicide (VN: 52%); and witnessing death (BK: 28%).

Implications: Health risk communications for combat veterans can be most effective when tailored to the veteran's exposure in a specific conflict. Providers should be aware of patients who are veterans and recognize veterans' level of concern associated with exposure to burning trash, feces, or oil, witnessing death, and other common environmental and psychological exposures associated with combat.

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize the environmental exposures commonly associated with combat activities during the latter half of the twentieth century.
  • List environmental exposures which are unique to

    Keywords: Environmental Exposures, 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.

    [ Recorded presentation ] Recorded presentation

    Environmental Health Preparedness and Emergency Response

    The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA