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.