Letter from the Commissioner

21 November 2003

The Hon Danna Vale MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600

Dear Minister

I have pleasure in submitting the final report of the Mortality Study of Australian Veterans of the Korean War. This study has investigated mortality rates, both generally and for specific causes of death, among Australian male veterans of the Korean War from their last day of service in Korea to 31 December 2000, and compared these with the corresponding rates for the general Australian male population of the same age.

The study has taken a significant time to complete. This was due to the need to develop a Nominal Roll of Australian Veterans of the Korean War required as the starting point for the study, and the complexity of subsequent research to establish whether individual veterans were alive or dead, and the reasons for death.

I would like to acknowledge the contribution to the success of the study made by my predecessor, Major General J P Stevens AO. From its commencement, the study was conducted under his direct supervision. His input and guidance continued until late August this year and this helped shape the final preparation of the report.

The study, although commenced first, is the second study concerning Korean War Veterans to be completed. The first to reach the report stage was the Cancer Incidence Study of Australian Veterans of the Korean War.

You have also approved the conduct of a General Health Survey of Australian Veterans of the Korean War. This is scheduled to commence early in the new year and the results of that study will be published separately.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Korean War Veterans Mortality Study Consultative Committee for their assistance and cooperation during the conduct of the study. Due to the length of time over which the study was conducted, a number of changes in membership took place. A full list of members, and the ex-Service organisations they represented, is at Appendix E of the report.

The report’s preparation was supervised by the Study Scientific Advisory Committee, the membership of which is set out at Appendix F.

I would also like to thank the Australian Institute of Health & Welfare, which did the bulk of the data matching, Dr Keith Horsley, the Director of Research Studies and the other departmental staff who worked on the study.

Yours sincerely

Simon Harrington
COMMISSIONER

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