WASHINGTON (AP) — Aging veterans are getting reinforcements in their fight against the twin threats of obesity and diabetes.
The Veterans Affairs and Health and Human Services departments were launching the "HealthierUS Veterans" campaign today to promote nutrition, exercise, education, preventive medicine and weight loss.
The VA says that of the 7.5 million veterans receiving its health benefits, more than 70 percent are obese and one out of five have diabetes. Diabetes can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, blindness and amputations.
According to a VA news release, 7 percent of the U.S. population suffers from diabetes. The fact that veterans seem to be a much higher risk group doesn't sit well with VA Secretary Jim Nicholson.