US Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard veterans face higher rates of rare nerve disease ALS than other vets, study finds
The study pointed to possible service-related exposures as potential ALS links but did not identify them.
A new study published in Neurology reveals higher rates of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) among veterans of the Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard compared to Army veterans. Researchers found that male officers were 64% more likely to develop the degenerative disease than enlisted veterans. While the study did not identify specific service-related exposures, it suggests possible links to occupational hazards such as lead, pesticides, and toxins.
The findings, based on records of nearly 10 million veterans, indicate that male Air Force veterans had a 29% higher ALS rate than male Army veterans, with male Coast Guard and Navy veterans experiencing 26% and 15% higher rates, respectively. Male Marine veterans had a lower ALS rate than Army veterans. The study highlights the need for further research to identify potential risk factors among different military branches and ranks.
Written by urgent.news from Business Insider's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
