Key Targets Met In Veterans' Family Study

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21st August 2009, 03:10pm - Views: 767





Government Government Department Of Veterans' Affairs 1 image






Parliament House Canberra ACT 2602 

Telephone 02 6277 7820  Facsimile 02 6273 4140

The Hon Alan Griffin MP

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs


VA071


Friday, 21 August 2009 


KEY TARGETS MET IN VETERANS’ FAMILY STUDY


In the week of Vietnam Veterans’ Day, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Alan Griffin announced that

key target participant numbers have been achieved to commence a study into the long term

effects of war service on Vietnam veterans’ families.

“More than 13,000 randomly selected Vietnam veterans, Vietnam-era Army personnel who did

not deploy to Vietnam, and their respective children have registered to participate in an

intergenerational study to examine the long term effects of the Vietnam War and examine what

health differences can be attributed to war service,” Mr Griffin said.

“These are the key groups that were required to take part in sufficient numbers to make the

study scientifically robust.

“Additional partners, siblings, nieces, nephews and other family members of Vietnam veterans

and Vietnam-era Army personnel have also registered to provide information to the study.

“The impact of service in Vietnam, beyond veterans to the impact on their loved ones, has been

a concern for many years.

“This study will help us to better understand what those impacts are and what action should be

taken to assist those who need help.  It will also help us to understand any issues resulting from

more recent deployments and the implications for the families of the veterans of today and

tomorrow.

“There are a number of components to the study.  Work has already commenced on some

projects and we can now be confident the overall study can be successfully conducted.”

An independent scientific advisory committee, chaired by Professor Bryan Rodgers, will ensure

the research component of the study is undertaken in a sound scientific manner.  Additionally,

an independent consultative forum consisting of representatives from ex-service organisations

will ensure the veteran community perspective is provided. 

Registrations are still open to participate in the study.  For more information visit

www.dva.gov.au/vvfs or freecall 1800 502 302. 

Media inquiries: Belinda Cole 0437 863 109


The VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a

week on 1800 011 046.

To receive the Minister’s media releases automatically by email subscribe at minister.dva.gov.au/subscribe.htm






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