Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #120512

David A. Butler, PhD, Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences, FO 3034, 2101 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20418, 202-334-2357, veterans@nas.edu

The US Congress has requested that the National Academy of Sciences conduct an evaluation of the disposition of the Air Force Health Study (AFHS; also known as the Ranch Hand study), an epidemiologic analysis of Air Force personnel who were responsible for conducting aerial herbicide spray missions during the Vietnam War. The National Academies is addressing:

1. the scientific merit of retaining and maintaining the medical records, other data and laboratory specimens collected during the AFHS after the currently-scheduled termination date of the study in 2006; 2. the obstacles to retaining and maintaining these data including privacy concerns; 3. advisability of providing independent oversight of the data and of any further study of it, and the mechanism for providing such oversight; 4. the advisability of extending the AFHS, including the potential value and relevance, the potential cost, and the Federal or non-Federal entity best suited to continue the study if extended; and 5. the advisability of making the laboratory specimens of the AFHS available for independent research, including the potential value and relevance of such research, and the potential cost.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, the participant should be able to

• Describe the intent and structure of the Air Force Health Study.
• Identify the general considerations underlying the examination of when and under what circumstances a longitudinal study should be continued.
• Discuss the major issues involved in the evaluation of whether the Air Force Health Study should be continued and, separately, whether the data and specimens collected in the course of the study should be retained for further research.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation