 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Vietnam Veterans' Children At Risk!By VVAWMedia Release - 20 March 1998
The Vietnam Veterans' Association of Australia (VVAA) today announced that the recently completed Vietnam Veterans' Health Study shows clearly that their children are at risk, confirming what veterans have been saying for 20 years. Apart from greatly elevated rates of spina bifida, cancers and a range of other normally rare diseases, the study reveals that the number of deaths of Vietnam veterans' children from the combined causes of accident and suicide is 250% higher than for other young Australians. "We are horrified," said Mr. Clive Mitchell-Taylor, National President of the VVAA. "Australia has one of the highest youth suicide rates in the world, but this is worse than anything we could have imagined! The statisticians have told us that they would have expected about 440 of our children to have died from accidents or suicide, but the questionnaires completed by our Vietnam veterans reports over 700 more deaths from those two causes alone. How can anyone explain this, or the range of genetic illnesses and deformities?" Mr. Mitchell-Taylor acknowledged the role of Minister Bruce Scott and officers of Department of Veterans' Affairs in commissioning and conducting this study. He said the study would not have been possible without close cooperation and support. The magnitude of the results have surprised all concerned, even the veterans, who had anticipated most of the reported outcomes. The Vietnam Veterans' Morbidity Study, completed by nearly 85% of all Vietnam veterans, shattered all Australian records for response to a Government survey. The VVAA was formed on the basis of concerns about the health of veterans and their children, and this comprehensive survey has been a goal for almost 20 years. The overwhelming response confirmed beyond doubt the Vietnam veterans' commitment to the study. The responses themselves show beyond doubt that veterans, their spouses and their children suffer from a range of illness at rates undreamed of by other Australians. Examples include leukemia and prostate cancer (300% of the expected rate), cancer of the colon (350%), male breast cancer (2500%), ischaemic heart disease (200%), and motor neurone disease (6000%). The reported incidence of spina bifida in children is more than 1000% of the expected rate, cleft lip or palate over 400% higher and absent body parts 1000% higher. A high percentage of veterans' partners have sought treatment for stress, anxiety, depression or sleep disorders. Mr. Mitchell-Taylor said "The findings of the report are so significant that the Government must take action immediately. Australians cannot ignore this problem for another single day." The Vietnam Veterans' Association of Australia was one of three ex-Service organizations represented on the Steering Committee of the Health Study. Although the Report states that there is a clear link between the findings and exposure to combat stress and chemicals, it falls far short of addressing this in its recommendations. The recommendations relate either to validating the self-reported rates of illness, or to existing regulations that recognise illnesses as being war-caused. The Veterans' Entitlement Act does not include any provision for the recognition of problems faced by children as a result of a parent's service. "I can understand Cabinet reluctance to open up this door," stated Mr. Mitchell-Taylor, "This was clearly demonstrated in 1996, when Government research failed to recognise a link between our service and elevated rates of spina bifida. I said at the time that the study was flawed, and it has been proven to be so." "The VVAA bargain with the Government was simply this: conduct the study, and we will support it with every resource we have. If it proves that veterans and their children are not at risk, we will go away. If it proves that there are problems, you must address them." "What do we do now? The VVAA asks that every Vietnam veteran commit to the validation of the data. Let's prove that the responses we gave were correct. Encourage the children, most of who are adults in their own right, to allow their medical records to be examined and confirmed. It can be done quickly, and it can be done in a way that will satisfy the Government. At the same time the VVAA undertakes to ensure that personal information is isolated from the Department of Veterans' Affairs, with validation being done through a third party. We will do everything in our power to get this done quickly and accurately. We seek the support of the entire veterans' community and the Australian public to ensure it takes place." After consultation with DVA, the VVAA expects that initial validation of some of the rarer diseases of both veterans and children will take place within a matter of weeks. Mr Mitchell-Taylor asked veterans to remember, "We are jumping this final hurdle for our children. We are doing it for ourselves. We are establishing standards to ensure that the veterans and peace-keepers who follow us will not have to go through the same rejection and ridicule in seeking treatment or recognition of illnesses."
|
