Australian Government, Department of Veterans' Affairs
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Health Studies


Research into the Toxicological Effects of Chemicals used in the F-111 Deseal/Reseal Programs

The final report, Research into the Toxicological Effects of Chemicals used in the F-111 Deseal/Reseal (DSRS) Programs, was completed in 2005. The study was undertaken by the University of Sydney to examine the toxicological effects of chemicals used in the F-111 DSRS programs, in particular the chemical SR-51. The aims of the study were to examine the toxicological effect of SR-51 on memory loss in mice, the effect of temperature changes on the toxicity profile of SR-51 and whether SR-51 caused cancer through the process of DNA damage.

See: Final report – Research into the Toxicological Effects of Chemicals used in the F-111 Deseal/Reseal (DSRS) Programs (PDF 4.8 MB)

 

Oberon Class Submarine Occupational Hygiene Project

The final report, Oberon Class Submarine Occupational Hygiene Project, was submitted by the Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health to the Australian Government Department of Defence on 28 February 2006. The study retrospectively developed an exposure profile for the submariners. This was done by triangulating information from many sources, including available scientific and technical literature, assessment of the decommissioned HMAS ONSLOW by two senior occupational hygienists and two focus group sessions with Submariners.

Although documentation of occupational hygiene assessments during operation of the Oberon Class Submarines was very scarce, the report detailed numerous hazards experienced by the submariners.  These include air quality, including diesel fumes and exhaust, carbon monoxide and lack of oxygen, psychological, musculoskeletal and noise hazards.

On 10 November 2006 representatives from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA), Department of Defence and Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health met with members of the Submariners Association at the Sydney DVA offices to discuss the reports findings. Representatives of the Submariners Association indicated that they felt the report was an accurate reflection of the nature of workplace conditions faced by submariners.

See: Report – Oberon Class Submarine Occupational Hygiene Project (PDF 1.7 MB)

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Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests in Australia

The findings of the Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests in Australia Study were released in June 2006. The Study examined whether there is an increased rate of death and cancer among male nuclear test participants compared to the general Australian community, and identified whether there is any relationship between overall cancer incidence or mortality and radiation exposure.

The findings of the Study are presented in two volumes. Volume 1, Dosimetry 2006, reports on the radiation dosimetry study which used data from the tests and modeling to estimate the radiation exposure of participants in the tests. Volume 2, Mortality and Cancer Incidence 2006, reports on the mortality and cancer incidence of participants, and a case-control study on the occurrence of leukemia in relation to radiation exposure.

The Study was commissioned by the Repatriation Commission, managed by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and conducted by Adelaide University in association with organisations such as the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.

See: Report – Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests in Australia 2006

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Health Study 2005: Australian Veterans of the Korean War

The Health Study 2005: Australian Veterans of the Korean War is the third and final study in a series of studies of the health of Australian Korean War veterans. The reports for first two studies, the Cancer Incidence Study and the Mortality Study, were released in 2003. The three studies constitute a major study program of health in this Australian veteran population and represent one of the most comprehensive investigations of health ever conducted in an entire veteran group.

Health Study 2005: Australian Veterans of the Korean War was prompted by recommendations from the first two studies concerning the need for a general health survey of Australian Korean War veterans. The study compared surviving male Korean War veterans with a group of men of similar age who were resident in Australia at the time of the Korean War but who did not serve in Korea.

The study was commissioned by the Repatriation Commission, managed by the Department of Veterans' Affairs and conducted by Monash University.

See: Health Study 2005: Australian Veterans of the Korean War

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Korean Veterans' Mortality Study

The Mortality Study 2003: Australian Veterans of the Korean War report was released in December 2003. This research study of Australian male veterans of the Korean War was prompted by concerns from the Korean War veteran community that their death rates, particularly those due to heart disease, diabetes, prostate and other cancers, respiratory illnesses and renal failure were higher than the Australian male population and that this increase was due to their service in Korea. The study was conducted by the Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

See: Mortality Study 2003: Australian Veterans of the Korean War report
Or: Download the mortality study report in PDF (3.3 MB)

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Review of SAS Veterans' Health Concerns

The Report of the Expert Panel to Review SAS Veterans’ Health Concerns and the Government's response were released in March 2004. The health study was initiated in December 2002 to identify and document exposures of concern arising through Special Air Services (SAS) operational skills enhancement and training, and to examine their possible adverse effects. The Review also considered the need for further research and whether any particular matters should be drawn to the attention of the Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA).

An independent Expert Panel conducted the study. The Panel was chaired by Professor Ken Donald, who is also Chairman of the Repatriation Medical Authority, and included experts in the fields of toxicology and genetics.

The Defence/DVA Links Project Review Board is overseeing response to the recommendations of the study.

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Korean War Veterans Cancer Incidence Study

The Cancer Incidence Study 2003: Australian Veterans of the Korean War was initiated by the Australian Government in May 2001. The Cancer Incidence Study compared the rates of cancers among the Korean War veteran population with the rates of comparable cancers among the general Australian male population of the same age.

The findings of the Study, conducted by the Australian Institute of Health & Welfare, are available at: http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm?type=detail&id=9589 .

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Australian Gulf War Veterans' Health Study

The Report of the Australian Gulf War Veterans' Health Study was released in March 2003. The health study was initiated in July 1999 to compare the health of Australians who served in operations in the Persian Gulf in 1991 to other members of the Australian Defence Force and the wider community.

The study was conducted for the Department of Veterans' Affairs by a team from Monash University, under the supervision of an independent Scientific Advisory Committee and a consultative forum representing veteran and service organisations. A media release announcing the release of the report is available at: http://minister.dva.gov.au/media_releases/2003/03_mar/va017.htm.

Information on the actions taken in response to the recommendations was published in August 2004.

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Study of Health Outcomes in Aircraft Maintenance Personnel (SHOAMP)

A research team from the University of Newcastle has completed an investigation into whether there is an association between adverse health and an involvement in F-111 fuel tank deseal/reseal activities and, if so, the nature and strength of that association. The current health status of those workers was compared with the health of groups of workers with similar backgrounds from Amberley and Richmond air bases.

All five volumes of the completed SHOAMP report are available at: http://www.defence.gov.au/health/research/shoamp/i-SHOAMP.htm

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Mortality and Cancer Incidence in Australian Vietnam Veterans Studies

The following three reports in a series of studies of mortality and cancer incidence in Australian Vietnam veterans were released on September 5th 2006:

The reports were produced by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs with the assistance of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

A fourth report in the series, Dapsone Exposure and Australian Vietnam Service: Mortality and Cancer Incidence, was released on 26 September 2007

The series of studies, commissioned by the Repatriation Commission, was undertaken in response to a recommendation of the 1997 Mortality of Vietnam Veterans: The Veteran Cohort Study, which was to monitor the mortality of Vietnam veterans and repeat the study after 2000.

Each of the four completed reports can stand alone as a complete study. However, the first three volumes should be taken together for a more thorough understanding of the mortality and cancer incidence of this cohort of Australian Vietnam veterans and an Overarching Executive Summary has been produced to assist in understanding . The fourth volume investigates a specific aspect of Vietnam service, that is the exposure to an anti-malarial drug, Dapsone.

The reports and their overarching summary are available at:
Overarching Summary & Reports

FAQs for the Vietnam Veterans mortality and cancer incidence studies

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Review of Commonwealth agencies’ relationship with the late Signaller Geffrey Gregg

The Government’s response to a review of the circumstances surrounding the death of Signaller Geffrey Gregg was published on 30 July 2008. The response outlined 15 outcomes to address systemic problems with transition out of the services.

The review of SIG Gregg’s circumstances involved three parts.

Part 1 was an independent inquiry by the Inspector General Australian Defence Force, Geoff Earley AM, which examined SIG Gregg’s Defence Service, including deployment to Afghanistan, and the ADF’s role in transition management at SIG Gregg’s discharge.

Part 2 was undertaken by Mr Chris Doogan AM (former Registrar of the High Court) and examined DVA’s actions in SIG Gregg’s transition management from the ADF, DVA’s handling of his compensation claims and the actions of the Commissioner for Superannuation in administration of SIG Gregg’s claim for military superannuation benefits.

Part 3 of the review was undertaken by Mr Ron McLeod AM (former deputy Ombudsman) to examine the whole-of-government approach to handling the Gregg case.

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, and the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, issued a media release about the Government’s response.

View the Government’s response

View the reports

View the media release (PDF 40KB)

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Page last updated: 30 July 2008