New legislation to study why US veterans face increased ALS risk
Bill also aims to make it easier for them to participate in clinical research
- ALS rates are about twice as high among U.S. veterans compared to the general population.
- New legislation will study why veterans have increased ALS risk.
- The bill aims to improve support, research access, and prevention strategies for veterans with ALS.
A bipartisan team of congressional representatives is pushing for new legislation that aims to understand why veterans are at increased risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and develop strategies to reduce this risk.
The bill, dubbed the “Veterans with ALS Reporting Act,” was created in partnership with the ALS Association and veterans’ advocacy groups.
“As a veteran and a dad, I want my son to grow up knowing that his country takes care of the people who serve it,” Jessy Ybarra, member of the ALS Association’s board of trustees and a veteran living with ALS, said in a press release from the organization. “I live with ALS every day, and I’ve seen too many fellow veterans face this same disease without answers. This bill gives me hope … not just for me, but for the next generation.”
History of military service among strongest ALS risk factors
ALS is a disorder marked by the degeneration and death of motor neurons, the nerve cells that control movement. This leads to muscle weakness, which gradually impairs a person’s ability to move, speak, swallow, and breathe. Life expectancy is usually 3 to 5 years.
The causes of ALS aren’t fully understood, but some risk factors have been identified. One of the strongest risk factors for ALS is a history of military service. Studies have consistently shown that ALS rates are about twice as high among veterans compared with the general population.
It remains unclear why exactly veterans are more likely to develop this disease, which means it’s not currently possible to design effective strategies to mitigate this risk for those who choose to serve in the military.
The new legislation would require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to conduct studies and collect data aimed at better understanding the incidence and prevalence of ALS in veterans and the reasons underlying their increased risk of ALS.
Our veterans answered the call, and it’s our duty to answer theirs. For years, veterans have faced an elevated risk of developing ALS – and now we must work to understand why.
The legislation also seeks to create systems to better support veterans with ALS and make it easier for them to participate in clinical research. The legislation will also develop and test strategies targeted at reducing ALS risk among veterans.
“The Veterans with ALS Reporting Act is more than a bill — it’s a lifeline of hope for the heroes who once fought for us and now face a fight against ALS,” said Melanie Lendnal, senior vice president of policy and advocacy for the ALS Association. “This legislation is a promise to our servicemembers that our nation will stand with them until we find the answers and end ALS once and for all,”
The new legislation was introduced into Congress by Jason Crow, a Democrat from Colorado. Crow is one of four co-chairs of the House’s ALS Congressional Caucus, alongside Brian Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican, Terri Sewell (D-Alabama), and Ken Calvert (R-California).
“Our veterans answered the call, and it’s our duty to answer theirs,” Crow said. “For years, veterans have faced an elevated risk of developing ALS — and now we must work to understand why. That’s why I’m introducing the bipartisan Veterans with ALS Reporting Act, which will help uncover critical data, drive prevention, and improve care for veterans already living with the condition. This bill will help deliver our veterans the world-class care they earned and take real steps toward protecting future generations of servicemembers.”
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