Vietnam War Veterans Health Issues

Submitted

With a highlight on heart health this month, it is important to understand the health care needs of Vietnam War Veterans because of the long-term efects of military service during this era. If you served during the Vietnam War, including Veterans who served on Blue Water Navy vessels or Coast Guard ships, you may be at risk of certain health conditions, some of which are heart related and very common among our community’s Vietnam era Veterans. They have a higher rate of diagnosis and are more likely to sufer from conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and ischemic heart disease because of their exposure to the dioxin, Agent Orange. It is good to see your doctor on a regular basis, and to be sure your doctor knows if you have a history of Agent Orange exposure. They may suggest regular screenings for heart related issues as well as cancer screening tests to report any symptoms as soon as they appear. The sooner these illnesses are diagnosed and treated, the better to prevent long term issues.

Health risks related to the Vietnam War

Diseases related to Agent Orange: A toxic chemical used to clear trees and plants that can cause long-term health efects. These include:

• Bladder cancer

• Chronic B-cell leukemia

• Hodgkin’s disease

• Multiple myeloma

• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

• Prostate cancer

• Respiratory cancers (including lung cancer)

• Some soft tissue sarcomas

• L amyloidosis

• Chloracne (or other types of acneiform disease like it)

Hepatitis C: A disease that can harm your liver.

• Diabetes mellitus type 2

• High blood pressure (hypertension)

• Hypothyroidism

• Ischemic heart disease

• Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined signifcance (MGUS)

• Parkinsonism

• Parkinson’s disease

• Peripheral neuropathy, early onset

• Porphyria cutanea tarda

Hearing problems caused by noise: Harmful sounds from guns, explosives, rockets, heavy weapons, jets and aircraft, and machinery that can cause or add to hearing loss and ringing in the ears.

Illnesses or injuries caused by job-related hazards: Chemicals, paints, radiation, and other hazards you may have come across.

What you can do now

Ask your local VA environmental health coordinator about getting a free Agent Orange Registry health exam. These can be provided at any VA medical center or hospital. You can also call the VA Helpline at 1-800-827-1000 to ask questions.

Veterans are at risk for many types of heart illnesses and cancer just like everyone else, even if they haven't been exposed to Agent Orange. You can lower your risk by quitting smoking, staying at a healthy weight, getting regular physical activity, and eating a healthy diet.

Find out if you can get benefts from any illness or injury caused, or made worse, by your active-duty service, such as illness-related to agent orange or contact with hazardous materials. Call your County Veteran Services Ofce and make an appointment to see if you are eligible for compensation or be advised of the many county, state, and federal benefts available to you as a US Veteran.

Every February, people in the United States celebrate the achievements and history of African Americans as part of Black History Month.

Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people frst brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today.

In 1915, in response to the lack of information on the accomplishments of Black people available to the public, historian Carter G. Woodson cofounded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. In 1926, the group declared the second week of February as “Negro History Week” to recognize the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history. Few people studied Black history and it wasn't included in textbooks prior to the creation of Negro History Week.

Eau Claire County Veteran Services Ofce

721 Oxford Ave, Suite 1130, Eau Claire, WI

Ofce: 715-839-4744

Email: veterans@eauclairecounty.gov

This week was chosen because it includes the birthdays of both Frederick Douglass, an abolitionist (someone who wanted to end the practice of enslaving people), and former U.S. president Abraham Lincoln. President Lincoln led the United States during the Civil War, which was primarily fought over the enslavement of Black people in the country.

Today Black History Month continues the discussion of Black people and their contributions through activities such as museum exhibits and flm screenings, and by encouraging the study of achievements by African Americans year-round.

Med Wise Rx

Med Wise Rx is a skills-based educational program to improve older adults’ communication with pharmacists and other providers for safer medication management.

• Meets for two 1.5-hour classes, separated by one week for home practice.

• It’s free, convenient, and empowering!

• Join the program evaluation study by the University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy.

WHEN: Wednesdays, February 8 & 22, 2023 OR April 12 & 26, 2023

(depending on which group you are randomly assigned to)

TIME: 1:00 - 2:30 pm

LOCATION: Virtually, from the comfort of your home or ofce

SIGN UP: Call the Aging & Disability Resource Center at 715-839-4735 or go online www.adrcevents.org

Medication management can be challenging

Medication errors can result in unwanted efects from medicines, and worse, falls, hospitalizations and even death.

Poor communication and medication coordination problems with multiple people prescribing a person’s medications can increase these errors even more.

Build knowledge and skills with Med Wise Rx

The pharmacist is important to help people manage their medications and address their medication-related questions and concerns. Yet, patients and caregivers often are unsure what questions to ask their pharmacist or how to ask them.

• Gain confdence in talking with your pharmacist

• Learn what to ask about your medicines

• Learn how to ask for a medication check-up

Who is eligible?

• Older adults (at least 65 years old)

• Taking 4 or more multiple medicines regularly (this includes nonprescription drugs),

• Able to navigate and join two Webex meetings (at home, ADRC, library, etc.),

• Able to participate in phone interviews and provide feedback

Participants will receive up to $125 in thank you gift cards for participating in this study.

This project is a partnership between the UW School of Pharmacy, the ADRC of Eau Claire County, and Community-Academic Aging Research Network (CAARN).