The CDC’s 30-Year Path to Acknowledge Gulf War Illness: A Clarification

The CDC's 30-Year Path to Acknowledge Gulf War Illness: A Clarification

The CDC’s 30-Year Path to Acknowledge Gulf War Illness: A Clarification


memory impairment, along with neurological issues. Many were led to believe their pain was merely psychological, attributed to stress or depression. Others received incorrect diagnoses of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or PTSD. Yet, these categories did not adequately reflect the entirety of their ailments. 

While there have been numerous strides in the understanding of other ailments, such as when scientists uncovered methods to restore memories in Alzheimer’s sufferers, a similar advancement has not occurred for those affected by Gulf War Illness. The veterans have felt overlooked, stigmatized, and neglected by the healthcare system. Nonetheless, with the introduction of the new CDC diagnostic code, Gulf War Illness has received a title, a medical description, and a route toward more precise diagnosis and treatment. For countless veterans, this long-awaited resolution represents not only a medical breakthrough but also a form of justice.

What is Gulf War Illness?

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