Responses to Occupational and Environmental Exposures in the U.S. Military—World War II to the Present

Richards, Erin

doi:10.7205/milmed-d-11-00083

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Combat injuries have been linked to development of PTSD [4,5,12], hypertension [4][5][6], sleep disruptions [4], and inflammation [38,39], all of which have been associated with telomere shortening [23,31,32,[40][41][42]. Similarly, military service has been associated with increased risk of exposure to many environmental toxins [43,44], including smoke inhalation, chemical weapons, and water and air pollution, which have also been associated with telomere shortening [45][46][47][48]. Specifically, the mean age for military veterans in this sample is 56 years, which would mean this cohort would have been largely active during the Vietnam War.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Telomere Shortening and Accelerated Aging in US Military Veterans

Howard

Janak

Santos-Lozada

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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A growing body of literature on military personnel and veterans’ health suggests that prior military service may be associated with exposures that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which may differ by race/ethnicity. This study examined the hypothesis that differential telomere shortening, a measure of cellular aging, by race/ethnicity may explain prior findings of differential CVD risk in racial/ethnic groups with military service. Data from the first two continuous waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), administered from 1999–2002 were analyzed. Mean telomere length in base pairs was analyzed with multivariable adjusted linear regression with complex sample design, stratified by sex. The unadjusted mean telomere length was 225.8 base shorter for individuals with prior military service. The mean telomere length for men was 47.2 (95% CI: −92.9, −1.5; p < 0.05) base pairs shorter for men with military service after adjustment for demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral variables, but did not differ significantly in women with and without prior military service. The interaction between military service and race/ethnicity was not significant for men or women. The results suggest that military service may contribute to accelerated aging as a result of health damaging exposures, such as combat, injury, and environmental contaminants, though other unmeasured confounders could also potentially explain the results.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Telomere Shortening and Accelerated Aging in US Military Veterans

Howard

Janak

Santos-Lozada

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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“…dust, sand, smoke), facing gastrointestinal or respiratory infections or wound infections, experiencing extreme heat or cold temperatures and living in environments with mosquitoes or ticks 9 . Table 1 presents selected categories and examples of potential environmental exposures encountered during historic or recent military training and deployment 10–12 . By understanding the known sequela of certain environmental exposures during military service, health professionals will be prepared to examine potential links of exposure to the specific health outcome, such as prostate cancer (e.g.…”

Section: Identifying Veterans’ Health Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

One Health and veterans’ post‐deployment health

Mathewson-Chapman¹,

Chapman

2020

The Clinical Teacher

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SUMMARY Since 2001, more than 3.3 million US service members have been deployed to operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, New Dawn, Inherent Resolve and Freedom’s Sentinel. Visible and invisible war wounds from direct combat experiences, coupled with environmental exposures to harmful substances, can complicate veterans’ health throughout their lifespan. While promoting a holistic view of health, health professionals should be attentive for potential risks associated with environmental or animal exposures (One Health concept). During deployment, infectious and non‐infectious environmental exposures and harmful substances in the air, on the land and in the water may result in immediate‐ or long‐term health effects. Veterans can also face psychosocial health risks when home that may impact their concentration, emotional responses and social interactions. To strengthen health professions education, the authors recommend that curricula incorporate a comprehensive overview of veterans’ physical and psychosocial health risks as a result of their deployment. They describe four specific curriculum topics, competencies and didactic methods that can reinforce veteran‐specific content for clinical education and training. By applying the One Health concept, health professionals can document harmful environmental exposures during deployment, report gaps in clinical practice, and provide support for veterans’ physical and psychosocial health needs when returning to civilian life.

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“…There are three volumes available that outline the strategic plan, but there has not been a formal reassessment of the plan since its publication in 2000 . However, there are still lessons to be learned, given the multiple incidents of exposure during recent war events …”

Section: Exposure Modeling and Measurement Tools To Assist Preparednementioning

confidence: 99%

“…32,33 However, there are still lessons to be learned, given the multiple incidents of exposure during recent war events. [34][35][36]…”

Section: Exposure Modeling and Measurement Tools To Assist Preparednementioning

confidence: 99%

Preparedness and response to chemical and biological threats: the role of exposure science

Lioy

Laskin

Georgopoulos³

2016

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

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There are multiple components to emergency preparedness and the response to chemical and biological threat agents. The “5Rs” framework (rescue, re-entry, recovery, restoration, and rehabitation) outlines opportunities to apply exposure science in emergency events. Exposure science provides guidance and refined tools for characterizing, assessing, and reducing risks from catastrophic events, such as the release of hazardous airborne chemicals or biological agents. Important challenges to be met include deployment of assets, including medications, before and after an emergency response situation. Assessment of past studies demonstrates the value of integrating exposure science methods in risk analysis and the management of catastrophic events.

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Responses to Occupational and Environmental Exposures in the U.S. Military—World War II to the Present

Cited by 9 publications

References 5 publications

Telomere Shortening and Accelerated Aging in US Military Veterans

Telomere Shortening and Accelerated Aging in US Military Veterans

One Health and veterans’ post‐deployment health

Preparedness and response to chemical and biological threats: the role of exposure science

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