Service and Health During the Iraq and Afghanistan Era

The primary objective of CSP #595, "Respiratory Health and Deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan," is to assess the association of airborne exposures encountered during deployment with current measures of respiratory health among U.S. military Veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The purpose of the pilot study is to assess the feasibility and approach to conducting a large, multi-site Cooperative Studies Program (CSP) initiative to characterize the impact of deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan on the respiratory health of Veterans. The investigators will (a) determine the most efficient and feasible method for recruitment; (b) understand demographic, health-related, and military service-related factors influencing participation so that potential biases can be identified; and (c) demonstrate that the proposed individual exposure reconstruction techniques based on deployment history are feasible.

Three aims are proposed: Aim 1: Using the Department of Defense (DoD) Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) master personnel roster, identify a representative sample of deployed Veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as a sample of non-deployed Veterans; identify the optimal methods for recruitment of participants to Phase 1 of data collection (mailed survey or telephone interview on self-reported health and military service history) and assess the willingness of Veterans to visit a nearby Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical center to participate in Phase 2 in-person data collection, which includes more extensive self-reported health information, lifetime exposure ascertainment, and assessment of pulmonary function. Aim 2: Assess the Phase 2 participation rate of Veterans using VA Boston Healthcare System as a pilot study site. Aim 3: Using publically available exposure data and data from the DoD personnel file, demonstrate that the proposed individual exposure reconstruction techniques are feasible.

The study is organized by the CSP Epidemiology Center program with the Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center serving as the CSP coordinating center. The 2 participating sites are at the VA Boston Healthcare System and Durham VA Medical Center. The pilot study will provide information that will allow the planning of a national, large-scale health study to assess the residual effects of exposure to high levels of particulate matter while deployed. This will help inform VA health policy for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans.

Inclusion criteria

• All competent, living men and women who served during the Iraq and Afghanistan Era and been discharged from the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Navy are eligible to participate.
• Individuals in respective Guard and Reserve units are also eligible to participate.
• A Veteran is eligible without regard to deployment or combat status and without regard to current or past user status in the Veterans Health Administration.

Exclusion criteria

• Veterans of the Coast Guard, including individuals in respective Guard and Reserve units, are not eligible to participate.