Women in the Persian Gulf War: health care implications for active duty troops and veterans

Abstract

The health of women who participated in Operations Desert Shield/Storm was evaluated to better understand the medical requirements of deployed military women and women veterans of the Persian Gulf War. Women's health care needs during the Persian Gulf War were reported to be very similar to those of men, with the exception of gynecologic problems, which generally were not serious and did not require hospitalization. However, insufficient data were obtained to identify specific health care needs among deployed women troops. During the 5 years since the end of the Persian Gulf War, no unique health problems have been identified among women veterans. Whether there will be any exceptional long-term health care requirements currently is unknown. Nevertheless, important medical problems of all women-reproductive issues, menopause, osteoporosis, joint disease, breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke-inevitably will be major considerations when caring for this population of war veterans.