Mental health providers, communities and families must consider the long-term implications of the current war in Iraq. This point seems to lie at the heart of the argument made by MacKenzie. If efforts are not made to address this issue before it has a negative impact on health, a substantial portion of the population could suffer needlessly. Clearly, MacKenzie has selected research studies and articles that will sensationalize her claim and serve as the impetus for a call to action. Although MacKenzie appears to have a deep passion for motivating change in this area, the data that she reports does not represent a minority opinion. Throughout the medical community, there is a growing awareness that PTSD will have negative implications for physical health outcomes. Thus, while MacKenzie does not provide any dissenting opinion in her argument, it is evident that there is a paucity of data which refutes the claims made by the author. In this situation, MacKenzie has done a fair and adequate job...

(2004). PTST and world assumptions following myocardial infarction: A longitudinal study. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 74(3), 286-292.
MacKenzie, D. (2005). Trauma of war hits troops years later. New Scientist. Accessed October 23, 2007 at http://www.newscientist.com/channel/health/mg18725143.800-trauma-of-war-hits-troops-years-later.html.

Martz, E., & Livneh, H. (2007). Do posttraumatic reactions predict future time perspective among people with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus? Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 50(2), 87-98.

Romanoff, M.R. (2006). Assessing military veterans for posttraumatic stress disorder. American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 18(9), 409-413.

Weisler, R.H., Barbee, J.G., & Townsend, M.H. (2006). Mental health and recovery in the gulf coast after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Journal of the American Medical Association, 296(5), 585-588.