Ask the Experts: Veterans' Perspectives on Communicating About Airborne Hazard Exposures

Area of Science:

• Environmental health
• Veteran health communication
• Risk communication

Background:

• Military personnel face common environmental and occupational hazards.
• Airborne hazard exposures are frequent for Veterans, often with uncertain health outcomes.
• While VA provides provider resources, Veteran-facing communication materials are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key elements for developing effective Veteran-facing communication materials regarding airborne hazard exposures.
• To inform the creation of resources that address Veteran concerns about environmental exposures with unclear health evidence.

Main Methods:

• Conducted five generative, qualitative focus groups with Veterans experiencing airborne hazard exposure concerns.
• Discussions explored Veteran information needs, communication preferences, and information-seeking behaviors.
• Explored how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) should communicate about environmental exposures with uncertain scientific evidence.

Main Results:

• Veterans desire personalized, transparent, and comprehensive communication regarding airborne hazard exposures.
• Actionable information with tangible next steps is crucial for Veterans to address their health concerns.
• Diverse, multimodal communication strategies are necessary to reach a wide range of Veterans with exposure concerns.

Conclusions:

• In uncertain situations with limited clinical guidance, Veterans prioritize Veteran-centered, transparent, and respectful communication.
• Communication should acknowledge Veterans' socially and historically rooted exposure experiences.
• Information on airborne exposures must be actionable and disseminated through various communication modalities.