Follow up health study of participants from the Australian Gulf War Veterans’ Health Study

A follow up health study of approximately 3,000 service personnel who participated in the 2000-2003 Australian Gulf War Veterans’ Health Study is being conducted by a research team based at Monash University. The study includes veterans of the 1990/1991 Gulf War and a comparison group of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel who were operationally deployable at the time of the Gulf War but not deployed to that conflict. Comprehensive military service and exposure data and baseline health information was collected in the 2000-2003 study.

Information packages are currently being mailed to all of the participants from the 2000-2003 study to invite them to participate in this follow up study of their long-term physical, psychological and social health and well-being. The study will measure a wide array of health outcomes including medical conditions, multisymptom disorder, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, chronic fatigue, social functioning, use of health services, medications and service-related entitlements.

The follow up study provides a unique opportunity for the collective health experiences of the Gulf War veterans and their comparison group to be documented.

For the results of the study to be useful and meaningful, it is important that as many eligible participants as possible take part. Any personal health information provided to the research team will be held confidentially by Monash University. No personal details which identify participants will be passed on to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) or the ADF. Further, the results of the study will be reported in such a way that no individuals can be identified.

The findings will inform the DVA, the ADF and the international veteran, military and medical communities of the long-term health status of veterans, and inform health policy and services.

Further information about the Study can be found at http://www.coeh.monash.org/gwfollowup.html

To check that the researchers have the correct contact details for you or to ask any questions about the follow up study, all participants from the 2000-2003 study are encouraged to contact the research team on 1800 729 913 or moncoeh-veteranstudy@monash.edu

© The Naval Association of Australia