ALS is killing veterans
By Chris Mulholland
Oct 28, 09:37 PM
“Veterans are developing ALS in rates higher than the general population.
— VA Secretary Dr. James Peake, 2008
Do you know that ALS is a significant threat to the veterans’ community?
Since 1910, multiple studies have shown that the rate at which U.S. veterans develop amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease — is twice as high as the American general population. Despite this, there’s a shockingly low amount of awareness of the disease among the veteran community.
I should know. I was diagnosed with ALS in November 2020. Before then, my only acquaintance with ALS was the “ice bucket challenge”. After my diagnosis, I have made a point to ask every veteran I meet if they’re aware of the link between military service and the likelihood of being stricken with ALS. I have yet to meet someone who says they do. That needs to change.
Every day in America, three veterans are diagnosed with ALS while another three die from it. The prognosis for a person diagnosed with ALS today is largely the same as it was 150 years ago — death in two to five years.
https://www.militarytimes.com/opinion/commentary/2021/10/28/als-is-killing-veterans/
