CAS3
12-18-03, 01:24 PM
VA to Survey Gulf War Veterans' Health
WASHINGTON (Dec. 15, 2003) -- Veterans of the first Gulf War recently
received a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) asking them
to take part in a survey about their health.
"We are committed to finding answers for veterans who still suffer from a
variety of symptoms and illnesses resulting from their service in the first
Gulf War," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. "With
soldiers returning every day from operations there, pursuing these answers
remains a top priority."
The survey, called the Longitudinal Health Study of Gulf War Era Veterans,
is a follow-up to one conducted in 1995-1996 on the health of 30,000
veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War.
A letter signed by Principi was sent to veterans explaining the study's
purpose and procedures for enrolling and encouraging their participation,
whether or not they took part in the original survey or served in the Gulf
War theater.
Participation is voluntary. Veterans fill out a detailed survey with
questions about general health, functional status, chronic medical
conditions, unexplained multi-symptom illnesses, doctor and hospital visits
and treatments. All information is confidential.
Dr. Han K. Kang, director of VA's environmental epidemiology service, who
conducted the earlier study, will lead the research effort.
WASHINGTON (Dec. 15, 2003) -- Veterans of the first Gulf War recently
received a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) asking them
to take part in a survey about their health.
"We are committed to finding answers for veterans who still suffer from a
variety of symptoms and illnesses resulting from their service in the first
Gulf War," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. "With
soldiers returning every day from operations there, pursuing these answers
remains a top priority."
The survey, called the Longitudinal Health Study of Gulf War Era Veterans,
is a follow-up to one conducted in 1995-1996 on the health of 30,000
veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War.
A letter signed by Principi was sent to veterans explaining the study's
purpose and procedures for enrolling and encouraging their participation,
whether or not they took part in the original survey or served in the Gulf
War theater.
Participation is voluntary. Veterans fill out a detailed survey with
questions about general health, functional status, chronic medical
conditions, unexplained multi-symptom illnesses, doctor and hospital visits
and treatments. All information is confidential.
Dr. Han K. Kang, director of VA's environmental epidemiology service, who
conducted the earlier study, will lead the research effort.