Research and Studies
Health research and social research publications
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs carries out a wide range of research to support the health and wellbeing needs of veterans and families of veterans. This page brings together a range of DVA commissioned research, evaluations and literature reviews.
Readers should note that some older publications may reflect the evidence base and policy context at the time they were produced and may not fully align with current research, practice, or priorities.
A list of current projects can be seen at Current Research Projects.
Service needs of contemporary DVA clients
2012Report on consultation with seriously injured or wounded contemporary veterans on their experiences with DVA and service needs.
The impact of war experiences on dementia in veterans (2012)
2012This project was funded by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to investigate the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dementia in veterans.
Sleep and Falls - Prevalence of Subjective Sleep Difficulties
2012The aims of this project were to determine the prevalence of subjective sleep difficulties in community-dwelling older fallers, and to evaluate the relationship between subjective sleep quality and falls.
A Review of the Operation Life Suicide Awareness Workshops
2012As part of the Government response to the 'Independent Study into Suicide in the Ex-service Community', DVA commissioned the Australian Institute of Suicide Research and Prevention to undertake a review of the Operation Life Suicide Awareness workshops to ensure they were evidenced based.
Allostatic Load: A Review of the Literature
2012Allostatic Load: A Review of the Literature was funded under the Department of Veterans' Affairs, Applied Research Program and conducted by the Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Program Review Reports
2011The Review of PTSD Group Treatment Programs was undertaken by the Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health (CMVH) to ensure that services offered to clients of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) were evidence-based and met the needs of both older and contemporary veteran cohorts.
A pragmatic trial of the implementation of a balance screening and home exercise program
2011A study undertaken through the National Ageing Research Institute found that a physiotherapy-directed home exercise program incorporating strength and balance elements significantly improved balance and mobility-related outcomes.
Needs of Spouse Carers of World War II Veterans
2011The overall aim of this project was to compare the health and use of health services of women in their 70’s and 80’s who are DVA Gold Card holders, or wives of DVA Gold Card holders, with similarly aged women in the general community who have no connections with DVA.
Falls and disturbed sleep patterns in older people: a pilot study
2010This study was conducted by the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) and the Institute for Breathing and Sleep (IBAS). The aim of the study was to undertake a preliminary investigation of whether specific sleep difficulties were associated with history of falls and risk of falling in older people.
Contemporary factors influencing healthy and productive ageing for women in the DVA context
2010The Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health (CMVH) conducted a literature review into ‘Contemporary factors influencing healthy and productive ageing for women in late middle age in the DVA context’. This review aimed to identify and interpret the factors influencing healthy and productive ageing for women aged 55-70 years in the DVA context.