Native Americans Serve in Military at Higher Rates than Other Groups
Native Americans
Serve in Military at Higher Rates than Other Groups
No other group is represented at a higher rate in the U.S.
Military. Native Americans take pride in serving in every branch of the
military and protecting American freedoms through service. But this group of
service members and veterans face more challenges too. They are more likely to
have service-related disabilities and to be affected by service exposure to
asbestos.
Native Service
Members and Veterans
Most Americans are unaware of how much Native Americans have
contributed to protecting the country. They
serve in the military at a higher rate than any other population group or
ethnic community. According to the U.S. Census there are currently over 150,000
veterans who are American Indian or Alaskan Native. More than 24,000 people
identifying as part of this group currently serve in the military.
Special Challenges of
Native Veterans
According
to the Veterans Administration (VA), Native veterans are less likely than
their peers to have health insurance. They are also younger, have lower
incomes, higher unemployment rates, and lower educational levels. Native
veterans are more likely than other veterans to have a disability related to
service or to any other cause.
Asbestos and Veterans
All veterans have been put at risk by their service of
exposure to the harmful mineral asbestos. But with such high service rates,
Native veterans represent a special risk group. Asbestos is not used very often
now, but through the 1970s it made up a number of materials in ships, barracks,
vehicles, and aircraft. Many veterans were exposed and are at risk of
developing mesothelioma, a
deadly cancer, decades later.
The
VA reports that about one-third of all recorded diagnoses of mesothelioma
in the U.S. are in veterans. All veterans can seek assistance through the VA
for healthcare and disability compensation if diagnosed with mesothelioma
because of service-related asbestos exposure.
Native veterans and all veterans need greater access to
healthcare and benefits because of the harm to health caused by service,
especially exposure to asbestos. These heroic men and women are suffering now,
but there are resources and compensation that can help.
Published on behalf of Tom Elliot
Labels: mesothelioma, military service, native american
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| Shawn in the Korengal Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan. |
For more info on these and other weapons
Technical specs compiled from:
http://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/Active_FM.html
http://world.guns.ru/index-e.html
https://en.wikipedia.org
http://www.militaryfactory.com/
http://www.olive-drab.com/
http://www.army.mil/
http://dok-ing.hr/products/demining/mv_4?productPage=general
http://www.peosoldier.army.mil/
posted by Cactus Tactical @ 9:58 AM
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