Senator Mark Bishop  Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs  Senator for Western Australia

MEDIA RELEASE

7th September 2004 Ref:va.ep .m&fs/04-04

Labor to Conduct Study of Veterans' Children's Health

A Labor government will review the health of veterans' children to determine the level of  need for better programs of care and support.

It has long been accepted that veterans' children suffer psychologically as the result of  family disturbance caused by service and service-caused stress. Governments in both  Australia and the USA have also recognised there may be insufficiently understood  intergenerational factors at work (particularly in the context of exposure to hazardous

chemicals) which may result in serious health problems, disabilities, and physical defects.

The first warning of this problem emerged from the first health study of Vietnam veterans,  conducted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare in 1998 which revealed that  there was a slightly higher than expected occurrence of spina bifida, cleft palate, acute  myeloid leukaemia and adrenal gland cancer.

Health care is already provided to those with these conditions despite the lack of firm  scientific evidence on any causal link. Counselling is also available in a family context for  those exhibiting symptoms of stress.

Sadly, the single greatest indicator of psychological distress was the elevated risk of  suicide. The AIHW study revealed that the death of children of veterans from suicide was  three times the expected rate. Death from other causes, including accidents, was double.  The risk of suicide is also estimated to increase with maturity.  This is a price that veterans and their families should not have to pay.

There are increasing concerns within the veteran community at a wider range of other  health difficulties. Parents exposed to hazardous substances during service naturally see a  link between this exposure and family health problems, but the research conducted to date  is inadequate.

An independent health study of veterans' children will be conducted to gain a better  assessment of the full nature of the problems, and the most appropriate remedies. This  study will include the children of Vietnam veterans, peacekeepers, and all those who have  served overseas in recent years.

This policy is strongly supported by all major ex service organisations including the  Children of Vietnam Veterans' Health Study Inc., the RSL, WAA, WFA, Legacy, Parents  of Veterans and the T&PI Federation, whose members are most concerned with their  children's health.

Media Details: Senator Mark Bishop 0419 959 892 or Peter Reece 0414 677 441  Parliament House (02) 6277 3 10 1

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FACT SHEET I I

Conduct a Validation Study of the Health of Vietnam Veterans' Children

Policy Background

In 1998 the Government had completed a detailed study of the health of Vietnam veterans,  as well as their children. This was initiated as the result of growing concern that Vietnam  veterans were suffering poorer health than the rest of the community as were their  children, and as a follow up to some earlier studies completed in 1983, 1996 and 1997. A  survey of female veterans was done later.

The purpose of these morbidity studies was to be able to draw comparisons, and to  establish health baseline data for the purposes of health policy and program delivery. This  work has continued and at present a further morbidity study is being completed.

While the health of Vietnam veterans has been found to be worse than the general  population in some elements, the most outstanding results found were related to the health  of their children.

The survey responses indicated high reported rates of suicide, congenital abnormalities,  and cancer in children, with a recommendation that the results be validated. That has  never been done thoroughly.

Depending on the condition, reports of congenital abnormalities varied from three to  eleven times the expected rate.

Deaths from suicide were reported at three times the expected rate, and deaths from  accident or other causes were reported at twice the expected rate. Cancer rates were also  elevated.

As a result of this study the Government followed the US example to a limited degree and  gave heath care benefits to those children with cleft palate, spina bifida, acute myeloid  leukaemia and adrenal gland cancer. This was despite the lack of any scientific evidence  supporting a medical connection with the fathers' military service and resulting exposure to

harmful chemicals. The US went further and granted pensions as well.

Australian Vietnam veterans continue to be concerned about the health of their children,  and in many cases make an automatic connection with their service.

Proposal

In order to provide a better research base and to respond to the fears of Vietnam veterans  and their families it is proposed that a validation study be undertaken of the 1998 survey.  This should provide substantiating evidence if it is available, particularly given that the  1998 study was based on self reporting. Any changes with age should also be tracked.

The study and survey would be conducted by a similar methodology to that adopted for the  recent health and mortality studies of Korean veterans, Gulf war veterans, and those who  served in the atomic tests of the 1950's.

Costing - $1 .I m over 3 years

2005-2006 2006-2007 2004-2005 2007-2008

0.3 0.5 0.3

