Residents Near Former California Nuclear Site Report More Chronic Illness, New Study Finds

Residents near the former Santa Susana Field Laboratory reported higher rates of autoimmune and metabolic disorders compared to those living farther away, according to a new study. The study found that 18% of residents within five miles had autoimmune disorders, compared to 4% between 11 and 15 miles. Similarly, 15% of those within five miles reported metabolic and endocrine disorders, compared to 2% farther away. The study also found that over one-third of residents had at least one chronic diagnosis, similar to the national average. The researchers noted that the findings suggest that higher-income residents may be more influenced by fear of contamination than by their ability to manage risks. The study was based on self-reported diagnoses and did not establish a direct causal link between contamination and health conditions. The study found that residents were more likely to take protective measures if they believed those measures were expensive, contrary to previous research suggesting that higher costs would discourage protective behavior. The study's limitations include self-reported data and the inability to determine the exact cause of health conditions.

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