High-level blast exposure linked to multiple chronic diagnoses in veterans

A Millennium Cohort Study analysis of 36,641 US veterans using Veterans Health Administration care examined links between military blast exposure and incident diagnoses recorded from 2013 to 2021. The study reported that self-reported high-level blast exposure was associated with increased likelihood of numerous conditions including hepatitis B and C, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, seizures, angina, hypertension, stroke, chronic bronchitis, neuropathy, and bladder infection, while occupational risk for low-level blast exposure was associated with lower likelihood of some conditions such as hepatitis C, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. The authors state these findings suggest blast exposure represents a long-term occupational health risk with implications for neurologic disease burden and systemic health.

Most relevant for: Veterans with a history of military blast exposure receiving long-term care through the Veterans Health Administration.

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