Name
#191 - Long-term Reproductive Health Outcomes in Women Veterans Exposed to Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pits
Date & Time
Monday, February 12, 2024, 12:00 PM
Description

Overseas wars often result in complex health problems for those who serve as military personnel. Chronic exposures to burning trash and oil fires among Gulf War service members led to several studies on adverse health outcomes resulting from open burn pit (OBP) exposure [1]. More recently, post-9/11 service members deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other Southwest Asian locations have been exposed to toxins generated by airborne hazards and open burn pits (AHOBP). These toxic military exposures may pose considerable health risks, and Veterans continue to suffer adverse long-term health problems impacting respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, and reproductive systems [2-3]. Among active-duty and Veteran women, exposure to AHOBP may pose an increased risk of reproductive cancers, which are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Because of the increased exposure risk among Veterans and the multitude of barriers to care, chronic medical conditions among current and former service members persists as a complex and significant health concern [4-7]. With the increase in women service members across all military branches [8-9], and women Veterans representing an increasing share of Veteran Health Administration (VHA) patients [9], resources needed for the future care of the expanding women Veteran population must consider problems faced by women  and gender diverse Veterans (e.g., gender-specific needs in the areas of reproductive cancers and health). However, most of the existing literature on toxic exposure hazards suffered by service members and Veterans is based on the experiences of men [10].  To address the impact of AHOBP on long-term reproductive health outcomes and to mitigate the gaps identified above, a questionnaire designed specifically for women to assess toxic exposures during military deployment and subsequent health outcomes was developed.

Location Name
Prince Georges Exhibit Hall A/B
Content Presented on Behalf of
VHA/VA
Learning Outcomes
1. What health outcomes are women Veterans who have been deployed most concerned about?
2. Why is it important to study women Veterans with military related exposures and not assume that they will have the same health issues as men?
3. What are the future directions planned for the women's health addendum?
Session Type
Posters
Dropdown Content Presented On Behalf Of:
VHA/VA