Risk of developing respiratory illnesses—A 2014
study by researchers at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System found that Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans are at an increased risk of developing respiratory illnesses, compared with non-deployed troops.
The investigators found that 6 percent of more than 768,000 Veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and received VA care between 2002 and 2011 met the criteria for one or more chronic pulmonary conditions, such as asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema.
Another 10.5 percent met the criteria for chronic wheezing or coughing. The researchers found the rate of illness increased over the 10-year period they examined.
The researchers noted that Veterans found to have respiratory symptoms, asthma, and COPD were more likely to smoke, and smoking may have had a role in these high rates of illness