WOMEN IN THE PERSIAN-GULF-WAR - HEALTH-CARE IMPLICATIONS FOR ACTIVE-DUTY TROOPS AND VETERANS

The health of women who participated in Operations Desert Shield/Storm was evaluated to better understand the medical requirements of deploy ed 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 c are needs among deployed women troops. During the 5 years since the en d of the Persian Gulf War, no unique health problems have been identif ied among women veterans. Whether there will be any exceptional long-t erm health care requirements currently is unknown, Nevertheless, impor tant medical problems of all women-reproductive issues, menopause, ost eoporosis, joint disease, breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke-ine vitably will be major considerations when caring for this population o f war veterans.