Assistance Finding Clinical Trials

Some Health Conditions US Veterans Have a Disproportionately High Risk of Developing

U.S. veterans, especially those who served in combat or were exposed to hazardous materials, face a higher risk of several health conditions. Some of these include:

1. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A mental health condition triggered by traumatic experiences during service. It causes flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional numbness.

2. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Common among veterans, especially those exposed to explosions or combat. TBIs can lead to long-term cognitive issues, memory loss, and emotional problems.

3. Agent Orange-related Conditions: Exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War has been linked to various cancers (e.g., lung, prostate), Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and other chronic health problems due to the dioxin it contained.

4. Chronic Pain and Musculoskeletal Disorders: Veterans often suffer from joint pain, back problems, and other physical injuries from combat or heavy physical demands during service.

5. Respiratory Issues: Exposure to toxic smoke, dust, and chemicals, particularly from burn pits used in Iraq and Afghanistan, has led to chronic respiratory conditions, such as asthma and bronchitis.

6. Hearing Loss: Due to exposure to loud noises, such as gunfire, explosions, and aircraft, hearing loss is common among veterans.

7. Cancer: Veterans have a higher incidence of certain cancers, often due to exposure to harmful substances like Agent Orange, radiation, and burn pits.

The causes of these conditions vary, with exposure to hazardous environments, chemicals, and the physical and emotional toll of military service being primary factors contributing to the disproportionate health outcomes among U.S. veterans.

The standard of care for most of these health conditions leaves much to be desired and the VA can be slow to adopt the latest and greatest technological advancements in the field of medicine.

For those who have exhausted traditional treatments for their medical issues with only a marginal improvements things might seem hopeless.

However there are always ongoing clinical trials testing out the latest and greatest medical devices and medications seeking eligible study participants.  It is just a matter of helping connect the patients to the researchers running the trials.