Australian Gulf War Veterans’ Health Study Serum Sample Project

Between 2001-2003 independent medical researchers at Monash University and Health Services Australia undertook a study of Australian Gulf War veterans and a comparison group of personnel who were in the Australian Defence Force at the time of the Gulf War. The Australian Gulf War Veterans’ Health Study was funded by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Following the completion of the Gulf War Veterans’ Health Study, a Gulf War Serum Management Committee was established to govern the long term storage and future research-related access to study the stored serum blood samples. The Gulf War Study Serum Management Committee includes representation from the veteran community, Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Department of Defence, Gulf War Veterans’ Association, and the Naval Association, and is chaired by the Repatriation Commissioner. Representatives from Monash University and MedVet attend as observers.

Monash University is currently undertaking a project to follow up participants in the original study, Gulf War veterans and comparison group members, who gave consent for a sample of their blood serum to be frozen and put into indefinite long term storage for possible future studies.

Click here for more information about the project: http://www.coeh.monash.org/gwserum.html

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