Smoking Prevalence among US Veterans

Brown, David W.

doi:10.1007/s11606-009-1160-0

Cited by 167 publications

(116 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…The rates of elevated BMI in our sample were higher than those reported in other groups of Veterans [22][23]. The prevalence of smoking was similar to that reported among other OIF/OEF/OND Veterans [24][25][26].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Iraq/Afghanistan-era Veterans with back pain: Characteristics and predictors of compensation and pension award

et al. 2016

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Abstract-Approximately 440,000 U.S. Veterans receive compensation for back and/or neck conditions. Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) criteria state that back compensation determinations are based on impaired back function and not comorbidity or lifestyle, but whether compensation is based solely on consideration of the lumbosacral region is unknown. In this study, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of medical chart data from 178 post-9/11 Veterans applying for service connection for back pain in fiscal year 2012 at the Department of Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System. Altogether, 62% were noted to have impairment of back functioning and 74% were awarded compensation. Rates of comorbidities (obesity, depression, smoking, and illicit drug use) were high. In multivariate models predicting compensation awarded, only having an impaired back was associated with service-connected compensation. Pain was associated with extent of service connection, but this relationship was fully mediated by functional back impairment. No other measure (including work status) significantly predicted compensation. In summary, service connection was largely based on functional impairment, as called for in VBA criteria. Although pain and comorbidities undoubtedly affect day-to-day functioning, these factors were not independently related to service connection. Veterans present with many remediable conditions, and the service-connection evaluation may be an opportunity to engage them in treatment.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Iraq/Afghanistan-era Veterans with back pain: Characteristics and predictors of compensation and pension award

et al. 2016

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“…6 In the current issue of JGIM, Brown presents findings from the 2003-2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to estimate and compare the prevalence of smoking among veterans with non-veterans. 9 Overall, both male and female veterans reported higher rates of smoking than nonveterans. Among veterans, smoking prevalence was highest among men (40%; 90% CI ¼ 31:7 À 48:2) and women (44%; 90% CI ¼ 32:4 À 56:3) born between 1985-1989, i.e., the youngest cohort.…”

mentioning

confidence: 95%

Effects of the Wars on Smoking Among Veterans

Bastian

Sherman

2010

J GEN INTERN MED

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A lthough smoking rates in the US declined by 50% between 1965 and 2005, about 21% of adults are current smokers. 1,2 The prevalence of smoking is estimated to be up to 40% higher in veterans than in the general population. 3,4 The total burden of Veterans Affairs (VA) health-care costs associated with smoking range from 8% to 24%. 5 While the VA has increased its efforts to fight the "war" on smoking, 6 actual wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are producing veterans who are smoking at alarming rates. The prevalence of smoking among veterans returning from recent wars is similar to that of the US adult population during the late 1960s. 7 While a minority of veterans use the VA for health care, it nevertheless provides a useful system in which to look at tobacco control efforts. Almost 70% of smokers using the VA want to quit. 3 In general, most smokers who try to quit do so without the aid of any smoking cessation treatments and are unsuccessful. 8 Increasing successful quit attempts is an essential VA health services priority. While almost all VA smokers are screened for tobacco use and are advised to quit each year, most veterans do not receive optimal treatment of combined behavioral counseling and pharmacotherapy. 3 While the VA removed co-payments for smoking cessation care visits in 2005, other barriers remain, including travel costs, scheduling conflicts, and work-related concerns. Only 17% of smokers in the VA reported receiving desired cessation treatment, 3 although recent efforts to increase treatment rates have likely increased that number. 6 In the current issue of JGIM, Brown presents findings from the

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“…According to Harte and colleagues (Harte, Proctor, and Vasterling, 2014), almost half (48.9 percent) of Army and National Guard soldiers deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom smoked cigarettes at two time points surveyed. Age-adjusted smoking prevalence is also higher among U.S. veterans (27 percent) than civilians (21 percent), according to data from the 2003-2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (Brown, 2010). Thus, it is not surprising that the Institute of Medicine estimates that DoD spends more than $1.6 billion a year on tobaccorelated health care costs and lost productivity (Institute of Medicine, 2009).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Estimates suggest a greater prevalence of cigarette smoking among U.S. military members and veterans relative to the general U.S. adult population (Brown, 2010; U.S. Department of Defense, 2013). Additionally, research shows that military deployment may lead to higher rates of initiation and relapse, as well as more overall tobacco use (Boyko et al, 2015;Harte, Proctor, and Vasterling, 2014).…”

Section: Figuresmentioning

confidence: 99%