Mental and Physical Health Correlates of Tobacco Use Among Transgender Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Conflicts

The aim of the study was to identify prevalence of tobacco use and associated correlates in a cohort of 332 transgender veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. We identified tobacco use, nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs), and clinical comorbidities from veteran medical record databases. We compared differences in use and clinical comorbidities, using nonparametric bivariate analyses. Approximately 67% of veterans were using tobacco, with 25% receiving NRTs. Major depressive disorder, alcohol-use disorders, and drug-use disorders were significantly higher in transgender women tobacco users than in nonusers. Results emphasize future research and clinical intervention necessary to address these health conditions in this vulnerable subgroup.

Automated summary

The study identified that approximately 67% of transgender veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan were using tobacco, with 25% receiving nicotine replacement therapies. Major depressive disorder, alcohol-use disorders, and drug-use disorders were significantly higher in transgender women tobacco users than in nonusers. Results highlight the need for future research and clinical intervention in addressing health conditions in this vulnerable subgroup.