Research Shows Elevated Disease Rates in Gulf War Veterans

Written by Anthony Hardie, 91outcomes

(91outcomes.blogspot.com) -- Recent news stories highlighted a 2005 study by Dr. Han Kang that showed significantly increased rates of unexplained multi-symptom illness among deployed veterans of the 1991 Gulf War.

However, several other studies by Dr. Kang and other researchers have also had significant findings for 1991 Gulf War veterans, including the following (follow the links for the cited study):

• Elevated rates of testicular cancer
• Increased deaths due to Brain cancer;
• Increased rates of Chronic Multisymptom Illness (CMI);
• Increased rates of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease);
  
• Experiencing Clusters of neurological symptoms;
• Increased rates of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS);
• 6 subgroups among those with Fatigue Syndrome (FS): fatigue, pain, infectious, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and neurologic/mood/fatigue
• Increased rates of post-war hospitalization;
• Increased rates of depression and anxiety;
• Increased rates of death by motor vehicle accident.
  

Additionally, another important 2005 study by Dr. Kang and her research team had findings that "contradict the prevailing notion that perceived exposure to chemical warfare agents should be considered an important cause of morbidity [illness and disease] among Gulf War veterans."

Veterans of the 1991 Gulf War have been too ill, and for too long already. Effective treatments for the underlying illness have yet to be found or implemented.

Change is needed -- desperately.