Skin Cancer and Other Dermatologic Conditions Among US Veterans

Importance US veterans may be at an increased risk of developing various dermatologic conditions compared with nonveterans. Objectives To compare the prevalence and the odds of dermatologic conditions (eg, skin cancers, dermatitis/eczema/rash, psoriasis) between veterans and nonveterans. Design, Setting, and Participants This population-based cross-sectional study leveraged nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Three questionnaires (demographics, medical conditions, and dermatology) were merged from 1999-2018 for analysis. Participants were nonveterans and veterans from NHANES data. Data were analyzed from August 2023 to April 2024. Main Outcomes and Measures The prevalence and odds ratios (ORs) comparing veterans and nonveterans were examined for various dermatologic conditions, including self-reported skin cancer history (any skin cancer, melanoma, nonmelanoma and unknown subtypes), dermatitis/eczema/inflamed rash, and psoriasis. Results In a total of 61 307 participants (54 554 nonveterans and 6753 veterans), there was a higher prevalence of any skin cancer history among US veterans compared with nonveterans (9.0% vs 2.9%; P < .001) as well as a higher prevalence of melanoma history (2.2% vs 0.6%; P < .001). Adjusted for demographic factors, veterans had higher odds of any skin cancer history (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.23-2.40) and higher odds of a melanoma history (OR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.17-4.39) compared with nonveterans. Veterans had a higher prevalence of a psoriasis diagnosis compared with nonveterans (4.5% vs 2.9%; P = .002) and a 61% higher odds of a psoriasis diagnosis (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.05-2.46) compared with nonveterans. Conclusions and Relevance This cross-sectional study found that veterans have higher prevalence and odds of various dermatologic conditions compared with nonveterans. Efforts aimed at improving health care quality among veterans must investigate the underlying causes of worsened skin health in this population.