Children of Vietnam Veterans Health Study

COVVHS is concerned about the health issues facing many sons and daughters of Vietnam veterans. Their objective being to promote policy change at Government level for improved services to those sons and daughters who have health problems which have arisen due to their parent’s active service. There is a larger and more diverse range of problems than most realise. Many people have not been aware of the potential link between the children’s ill health and their parent’s service in Vietnam. Thinking it was their problem alone; they have been reluctant to speak out.

COVVHS Main Objectives are to:
• To instigate a family health study, both quantitative and qualitative, of sons and daughters of Vietnam Veterans.
• Create awareness, in the Australian community, of the ill health suffered by many sons and daughters of veterans, and the link that exists with their parents’ active service for their country.

Many of these young adults are suffering from a higher incidence if ill health than their friends, outside of the veteran community.
Illnesses and conditions suffered by our children are extremely varied. This is why we talk about “Chronic ill health,” to give an idea of some of the problems relating to their health. To name a few, these include depression, inability to gain or retain employment, ‘electricity’ running through their bodies at any sign of anxiety, psychotic disorders, mental illness, and medical illnesses such as endometriosis, ovarian problems, bowel conditions, skin conditions, anodontia, (lack of teeth,) heart, kidney and eye problems, and many others. Most people are aware of the Morbidity Study of 1997, which provided the first insight into the wide range of serious illnesses suffered by Vietnam veteran’s sons and daughters.

Each of the ex-service organisations is supportive of the need to look after the sons and daughters of veterans.

Many veterans’ sons and daughters have a deteriorating quality of life.

The issues for COVVHS is to improve the health services presently available to sons and daughters of veterans, which have occurred as a result of their parents ‘active’ service.
Research into the health of veteran’s sons and daughters would ascertain whether the incidence of chronic ill health in veteran’s sons and daughters is higher than the general community

The time is right It has been agreed that, based on the findings of the 1997 Vietnam Morbidity Survey, there is a need for further research into the psychosocial effects of war service on families. The Government has recognised that the ill-health suffered by veteran’s sons and daughters is an area of concern, and has subsequently extended the charter of the VVCS to include partners and children of Vietnam Veterans. This is a much-appreciated initiative. This study identified some alarming health problems in veteran’s children. The Partners of Veterans Association of Australia has undertaken a self reported survey of the health of their member’s sons and daughters and grandchildren.

The information reported clearly indicates that in many cases, both their health problems and quality of life are deteriorating.
The July 2003 Evaluation of Vietnam veterans sons and daughters project found a need for continuing counselling services, and called for “research to improve the understanding of the risk factors amongst the children of veterans” and “conduct policy research relevant to the services offered”.

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P.V.A

The Partners of Veterans Association of Australia Inc

R&S.L

National Headquarters

V.V.F.A

The Vietnam Veterans Federation of Australia

D.V.A

Department of Veterans Affairs

Carry On (Victoria)

Carry On supplies welfare and accommodation to Veterans and their dependents across Victoria.

PVA Victoria Branch

The Partners of Veterans Association of Australia, Victoria Branch Inc

TPI Federation

Website of the Australian Federation of Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Ex Servicemen and Women Ltd. (Incorporated in the ACT).

VVAA Victoria Branch

HONOUR THE DEAD BUT FIGHT LIKE HELL FOR THE LIVING (Web master comments.... this is a link to the Victoria Branch whom we have reciprocal links, we do not have reciprocal links with the national organisation, VVAA members may care to ask why?).

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