Text Size:   A   A   A
Posted: Monday, 20 July 2009 7:02AM

WWU Professor Gets Grant To Study Veterans' Health




kgmi@kgmi.com

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- A Western Washington University sociology professor is studying the impact of military service on health.


"We're looking at people who served in the '80s and '90s," WWU professor Jay Teachman said. "Now these sort of form a baseline for the people serving in Iraq and Afghanistan for a better idea of what military service does."

Teachman has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the National Science Foundation American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

He and another scientist are analyzing data collected from military volunteers.

Preliminary results have offered some surprising information.


"What we're finding is that, contrary to what you might expect, active duty veterans by the time they reach 40 are not healthier than civilians," said Teachman.

He said veterans have better mental health, but not physical health.


"We find that active duty veterans are more likely to smoke and they're more likely to drink heavily," Teachman said. "So we suspect that is part of the issue."

Teachman said the results of the study will be used in evaluating veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Lawsuit Over WTA Sales Tax Proposal Ballot Goes To Court


Meanwhile, Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike and bus tax opponent Brett Bonner will debate the proposal at the Northwest Business Club meeting Wednesday at noon.

Armed Man Invades Everson Home


Sheriff’s Sgt. Kevin Hester said two young girls were in the home during break-in: "The suspect locked the juveniles in a bathroom"

Local Family Waiting For Crash Data From Toyota


Chris Eves’ Toyota Tundra crashed on Rural Road in 2007; his dad says the family may have to wait months for black box data.

Bankruptcy Filings Rise In Whatcom, Skagit County


For the first two months of 2010, 145 Whatcom County residents declared bankruptcy.

Bellingham Group Meets To Discuss Revitalizing Downtown


Urban Transition Studios presents its ideas for turning Bellingham into a “more urban and sustainable community” at the city council chambers Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Oregon Slams Port of Bellingham Over NOAA Selection


Oregon Senator Ron Wyden is saying any issues with Newport pale in comparison to the environmental and health hazards affecting the Port of Bellingham.

State House Approves Job-Creating Transportation Budget


The $8.5-billion budget includes federal stimulus dollars for large projects, including a $590-million rail corridor from California to B.C.

Golf Carts No Longer Just Par for the Course


The Washington legislature has approved a measure to let golf carts on public roads; it would allow cities to create "golf cart zones."

Northrop Grumman Concedes Competition With Boeing


Northrop's CEO said it won't compete against Boeing for a $35-billion Air Force contract because it doesn't think it can win.

Woman Attacked On Western Washington University Campus


A young woman was assaulted by a man at about 1:40 a.m. Saturday as she was walking to her car in a campus parking lot.

Sex Offender Moves To 5400 Block of Guide Meridian


Matthew Lamar Ford is considered a high risk to re-offend, according to police.

Allegiant Air Plans To Buy Six Long-Range Jets


Allegiant is planning to buy Boeing 757-200 planes so it can offer flights to Hawaii; a Bellingham-to-Hawaii route has been mentioned in the past.

Small Business Development Center Opens in Bellingham


Western Washington University’s College of Business and Economics runs the new center, located at 115 Unity St., Suite 101, in Bellingham.

Washington Lawmakers Approve $804-Million Tax Package


House Ways and Means chair Kelli Linville of Bellingham: “We entered this session with another $2-billion, almost $3-billion shortfall.”

Cantwell Calls For Another Investigation of NOAA Decision


U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell wants an inspector general investigation of the bidding process NOAA used to choose Newport, Oregon, over Bellingham.
KGMI News/Talk 790 on Facebook
Shop Sunset Square!
Ad Image