Organizational Psychosocial Factors and Deployment-Related Exposure Concerns in Afghanistan/Iraq War Veterans

Osinubi, Omowunmi; McAndrew, Lisa M.; Candia, Victor De; Chandler, Helena K.; Santos, Susan L.; Falca-Dodson, Maria; Teichman, Ron

doi:10.1097/jom.0b013e318255ba57

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…The veterans may have new environmental needs, such as wheelchair access in their homes. Despite the resources available to veterans, almost half of them report not receiving any support for reintegration into civilian life post deployment (Osinubi et al, 2012).…”

Section: Other Health Needs/reintegrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To clarify, veterans are concerned about not only the exposures they may have had during service but also which exposures should be of concern. A study of 486 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans representing all military branches who were clinically evaluated at the War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center in New Jersey between 2006 and 2010 revealed that almost all veterans had a postdeployment health concern and on average were concerned about eight or more exposures (Osinubi et al, 2012). The following exposures were of concern by 90% or more of participants: air pollution, burn pits, contaminated food and water, depleted uranium, biological warfare, and chemical weapons; interestingly, the hazards to which veterans were exposed were not necessarily the same hazards for which they were most concerned (Osinubi et al, 2012).…”

Section: Post-9/11 Military Hazardsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Unique Health Needs of Post-9/11 U.S. Veterans

Waszak

Holmes²

2017

Workplace Health Saf

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This article applies a hazard-based approach to the identification of physical, mental, and psychosocial health needs of post-9/11 veterans. The weaponry, survival, and population of servicemen and women by the military have evolved over time, particularly during the post-9/11 era. It is evident that military hazards and potential exposures vary depending on not only the deployment era but also the specific location and role. Many individual factors may affect the development of health problems. Recent evidence-based literature about post-9/11 veterans' long-term complex health issues is summarized, so occupational health nurses can advocate for the provision of veteran-sensitive care.

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Section: Other Health Needs/reintegrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Post-9/11 Military Hazardsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Unique Health Needs of Post-9/11 U.S. Veterans

Waszak

Holmes²

2017

Workplace Health Saf

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“…However, further research is needed to better understand these exposures. The small amount of research that exists indicates that nearly all veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan were exposed to at least one environmental hazard, the most common being exposure to pesticides and air pollution, which includes sand storms and burn pits [30–32]. In one study of veterans who served in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan [31], hazardous exposures were associated with total somatic symptoms (i.e., headaches, nausea, dizziness) above and beyond age and gender; however, these analyses did not take into account combat exposure, PTSD symptoms or a history of traumatic brain injury, which would be expected to predict somatic and mental health symptoms [33].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Association Between Toxic Exposures and Chronic Multisymptom Illness in Veterans of the Wars of Iraq and Afghanistan

DeBeer¹,

Davidson

Meyer³

et al. 2017

Journal of Occupational &Amp; Environmental Medicine

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Objective The purpose of this study was to determine if post-9/11 veterans deployed to the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts experienced toxic exposures and whether they are related to symptoms of Chronic Multisymptom Illness (CMI). Methods Data from 224 post-9/11 veterans who self-reported exposure to hazards in theater were analyzed using hierarchical regression. Results Of the sample, 97.2% endorsed experiencing one or more potentially toxic exposure. In a regression model, toxic exposures and CMI symptoms were significantly associated above and beyond covariates. Follow-up analyses revealed that pesticide exposures, but not smoke inhalation was associated with CMI symptoms. Conclusions These findings suggest that toxic exposures were common among military personnel deployed to the most recent conflicts, and appear to be associated with CMI symptoms. Additional research on the impact of toxic exposures on returning Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans’ health is needed.

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Physiological Employment Standards III: physiological challenges and consequences encountered during international military deployments

Nindl¹,

et al. 2013

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Modern international military deployments in austere environments (i.e., Iraq and Afghanistan) place considerable physiological demands on soldiers. Significant physiological challenges exist: maintenance of physical fitness and body composition, rigors of external load carriage, environmental extremes (heat, cold, and altitude), medical illnesses, musculoskeletal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, and environmental exposure hazards (i.e., burn pits, vehicle exhaust, etc.). To date there is very little published research and no comprehensive reviews on the physiological effects of deployments. The purpose of this paper is to overview what is currently known from the literature related mainly to current military conflicts with regard to the challenges and consequences from deployments. Summary findings include: (1) aerobic capacity declines while muscle strength, power and muscular endurance appear to be maintained, (2) load carriage continues to tax the physical capacities of the Soldier, (3) musculoskeletal injuries comprise the highest proportion of all injury categories, (4) environmental insults occur from both terrestrial extremes and pollutant exposure, and (5) post-deployment concerns linger for traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. A full understanding of these responses will assist in identifying the most effective risk mitigation strategies to ensure deployment readiness and to assist in establishment of military employment standards.

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Organizational Psychosocial Factors and Deployment-Related Exposure Concerns in Afghanistan/Iraq War Veterans

Abstract: Deployment-related preparedness/support is associated with exposure concerns and mental health functioning. Definitive studies will provide data and insight on how the military may better prepare/support soldiers to optimize their resilience and reduce deployment-related exposure concerns.

Cited by 5 publications

References 33 publications

The Unique Health Needs of Post-9/11 U.S. Veterans

The Unique Health Needs of Post-9/11 U.S. Veterans

The Association Between Toxic Exposures and Chronic Multisymptom Illness in Veterans of the Wars of Iraq and Afghanistan

Physiological Employment Standards III: physiological challenges and consequences encountered during international military deployments

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