veteran

Individual who has served in the armed forces, i.e. army, navy, air force, coast guard, & was discharged under other than dishonorable discharge. 10% of veterans female (projection for 2010) 14% of active military female, 13% of reserves female (2005) Unique health risk of veterans 1) World War 1 (few still alive 2008) - chest pain, concentration problems, confusion, dizziness, fatigue, forgetfulness, headache, nightmares, palpitations, shortness of breath 2) World War 2 - infectious diseases, wounds, frostbite/cold injury, mustard gas testing, exposure to nuclear weapons, nuclear cleanup 3) Korean War - cold injury (persistent effects) 4) Cold War - nuclear testing, nuclear cleanup 5) Vietnam War - length & time of service, exposure to agent orange, infectious diseases, wounds 6) Persian Gulf War - exposure to smoke, immunizations, chemical or biologic agents, depleted uranium - infections 7) peacetime duty - exposures, experiences. peacekeeping deployment

References

Veterans Administration