Children of Vietnam Veterans Health Study (COVVHS)

There are two committees; The Consultative Forum is made up of representatives of Ex-Service Organisations and a Son and a Daughter of a Vietnam Veteran. The Scientific Advisory Committee is made up of technical experts in their field.

Service Veterans Sports Group

Who are we? We are glad you asked. We are a small group of Service Veterans, formerly known as the Vietnam Veterans Sports Group, who have no affiliation with any Ex Service Organisations. We came together after attending a couple of Department of Veteran Affairs programs called the Heart Health Program and the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Program. We gained great benefit from these programs and didn't want the camaraderie that developed to end when the courses ended.

VESCA-Vietnam Era Selective Conscripts Australia

This is a must see site for students of the Vietnam War.

THE AUSSIE DIGGER

THE HOME OF ALL AUSTRALIAN EX SERVICE AND SERVING MEMBERS Vietnam Veterans and the Veterans of Subsequent Conflicts and Operations Such As The Gulf War Will Find This Site Of Particular Interest. Those Involved With The Various Peacekeeping and Peacemaking Operations Since the Vietnam War And All Currently Serving Members Will Also Find This Site Full Of Useful Information.

Members of the Senate

E-mail addresses, etc.

Members of Federal Parliament

E-mail addresses, etc.

Health effects of Vietnam service

Dr Eileen J Wilson, MSc, PhD and Dr Keith W A Horsley, MB BS, MPubAdmin ADF Health 2003; 4 (2): 59-65 Introduction — Australian studies — Australian Veterans Health Studies — Dapsone study — Vietnam veteran mortality study — Mortality of National Service Vietnam Veterans study — Morbidity of Vietnam veterans studies — Synopsis of results of the Australian studies — Overseas studies — Recent developments — Conclusion and future directions — Competing interests — References — Author details

Agent Orange Study

Birth Defects Research for Children and the New Jersey Agent Orange Commission have collaborated in collecting data through the registry to identify birth defects and disabilities that may be associated with exposure to Agent Orange and birth defects. A pattern of neurobehavioral disabilities has been identified in the children of Vietnam veterans who have reported to the registry.

DVA Feasibility Study:
Research into the health of veterans’ sons and daughters.
On 31 August 2004, the former Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, the Hon Danna Vale, announced
that the Government would examine the feasibility of conducting a study of the health of the
children of Vietnam Veterans.
Mrs Vale’s announcement for funding to conduct a feasibility study of children of Vietnam
veterans followed representation by COVVHS members. The media release (VA088) is
available on the DVA web site,
Following a period of re-establishment for the re-elected Government, The Hon. Deanne Kelly;
Minister for Veterans Affairs approved the commencement of the feasibility study into the health
of Vietnam veterans’ sons and daughters. On the 17 December the DVA wrote to ex service
organisations seeking representation for a Consultative Forum.
The first meeting of the Consultative Forum was held on the 27th January 2005 in Melbourne.
Admiral Simon Harrington, a Repatriation Commissioner presided over the forum. He indicated
to all present that there would be a need for confidentiality on some aspects of the proceedings,
and that a report would be produced for circulation to Ex Service organisations following each
meeting. A report will be made available shortly for members to send out to their organisations.
The report on the progress of the meeting will be provided to the veteran community on a web
site established for the purpose.
COVVHS has established the web site to inform the community of events as they transpire
throughout the feasibility study.
The address is: http://mc2.vicnet.net.au/home/carryon/web/COVVHSindex.html
COVVHS e-mail address is covvhs@ncable.net.au
Geoff Parker
Chairperson
COVVHS

HEALTH OF SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF VETERANS
(from a P.V.A. members perspective)
GOVERNMENT HEALTH STUDY
I hope all members of the veteran community are aware that the Australian Government has agreed to
undertake a Feasibility Study, into the health of Vietnam Veterans sons and daughters.
All ESOs including a member of the P.V.A. and Sons and Daughters group were asked to have
representation on the Forum.
Our first meeting was held in late January, in Melbourne. As is often the case, most of this first
meeting was taken up with “ housekeeping’ details.
Everyone on this Forum is very committed to the issue. The sons and daughters on the forum;
are brilliant and very aware of the health problems facing members of their peer group. It is
hoped that these young people will have leading roles in this forum.
When the actual study is undertaken, our children need to have confidence and faith in both the
proceedings and those involved. Members of the sons and daughters group having a prominent
role in the study can only enhance our children’s confidence in the process.
While at the forum, I met two of the young people involved with ….” and the pine trees seemed
greener after that”, Reflections by sons and daughters of Vietnam veterans.
This book is brilliant; and highly recommended to all. The thoughts and emotions in these
stories will bring you to tears. The book is available through the VVCS, and is available at no
cost, please think about asking for a copy.

Members of the P.V.A conducted a National SELF-REPORTED FAMILY HEALTH SURVEY
over the past few months.
Information collated from the self reported survey, is based on a database of over 2200 children
and grandchildren and has been consistent since the beginning. ie; the percentages in each
category have always stayed within 1 to 2 %. A summary of the information to date provides the
following:
· approximately 70% have either psychiatric or psychological problems.
· approximately 55% have a physical illness.
· approximately 5% have been in correctional facility.
· approximately 15% are either on disability pension or unemployment pension.
· approximately 55% have a deteriorating quality of life according to their parents.
· approximately 15% are accident-prone.
· approximately 15% have skeletal abnormalities.
in the grandchildren;
· approximately 30% have physical illness.
· approximately 30% have behavioural problems.
· approximately 8% have skeletal abnormalities.
· As you can see we really do need a properly orchestrated scientific
survey to give meaning to the validity of these findings.
Sue Parker

“Did you know?”
· There is a progressive and unique Association, which offers friendship,
support and information to partners and families of veterans, in every state and territory of
Australia?
· Established only 5 years ago, we have grown rapidly to a point where our input is sought on
issues impacting on veterans’ families.
· We have many support groups throughout Australia, where current and former wives,
partners, widows/widowers who share similar problems and issues related to their veteran’s
war service; gather to support each other. For many years, partners have suffered in
silence; but now having united to form this unique association, which is a shared network of
support, friendship and information; our voice can be heard.
· The health and well being, benefits and entitlements of our members, along with concerns
for the health of our children and grandchildren, are our main issues of concern. All such
issues are raised at all levels of government in an effort to improve the lifestyle of our
members.
· There is a great need for support for all partners/carers, widows/widowers and children of
Australian veterans, both now and in the future, as our defence forces continue to be
deployed to areas of conflict throughout the world. Our aim is not only to support the
partners of our generation, but also to consider the needs of all future generations and to
have in place a support network that was not available when many of our veterans returned
from their war service.
· We have State Branches in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South
Australia and Victoria.
· This unique Association is: The Partners of Veterans Associaton of Australia Inc.

If you would like more information please contact:
NSW Lorraine Burt 02 66494186
Qld Bronwyn Fullick 07 54922756
WA Sandra Cross 08 92481104
SA/NT Jan Wallent 08 82763788
Vic/Tas Shirley Matheson 03 54417059
The Partners of Veterans Association of Australia Inc.

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