Media Release

The latest from the Vietnam Veterans Family Study; in the next month or two the Qualitative part of the study will be made public and the Quantitative part of the study should be completed by the end of 2011. The release of the results from the Quantitative Studies will be managed by the Minister for Veterans Affairs after being  endorsed by the Consultative Forum and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and accepted by the Repatriation Commission. The duration of the study has been reduced by approximately four years and should now be completed by the end of 2012. (from 2016.)

The Children of Vietnam Veterans Health Study Inc (COVVHS) met on the 19th March and have resolved to move from a position of monitoring the conduct of the study to act to increase public awareness of the significance of the study and the importance of the findings. COVVHS has also resolved to be proactive in lobbying Parliamentarians to ensure that, at the conclusion of the study, the Government and Department of Veterans Affairs are aware that it is an imperative that new policy emanating from the findings of the study is formulated and implemented without delay.  COVVHS recognizes that this will be a challenging task, with the Government policy of returning the Budget to surplus in 2013 making it difficult to get financial support for new initiatives which have not been recognized in the forward estimates. We will need all the assistance we can gather to be assured of success.

For more information from the Department of Veterans Affairs: http://www.dva.gov.au/health_and_wellbeing/research/FamilyStudyProgram/vietnam_vets_familiy_study/Pages/index.aspx

Contact; Bill Wallace, 0418 529181  wallace46@bigpond.com

 

VIETNAM WAR FAMILY STUDY PROCEEDING – MORE SUPPORT NEEDED

Have you received a Vietnam Veterans’ Family Study questionnaire? If so, then you have been selected to test this questionnaire as part of the Pilot Study.

It’s not too late to make a difference. Your participation in the Pilot Study of this world first program investigating the effect of war service on the health and welfare of families of military personnel is vital. To make this study a success, the researchers need to know how the war affected you and yours. After all, every story is different. Or is it?

They also need to know why some families deal better than others with the impacts of military service.

The Pilot Study of the questionnaires and the study’s administrative processes involves 320 randomly selected participants. If you have been selected for the Pilot Study, your participation will greatly assist in testing both the questionnaires and administrative process to identify any changes which need to be made to improve the study.

You can make a difference, so if you have received a questionnaire, please complete and return it as soon as possible. If you need any additional information, or if you need a new survey sent to you, please do not hesitate to contact the Family Study Program via the DVA Health Study Line on the toll free number 1800 502 302.

Please note that participation in this study is voluntary and you can withdraw at any time. Your participation will not affect any pension, benefits or health services you or your family are entitled to from the Department.

Also included is the the new DVA Website link:

DVA Website for Vietnam Veterans' Family Study