Session: Public Health and War: Lessons Learned and Not Learned Part II

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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

3426.0: Monday, November 06, 2006: 4:30 PM-6:00 PM

Oral

Public Health and War: Lessons Learned and Not Learned Part II

These two sessions will cover a variety of public health concerns related to Vietnam and the Vietnam War. Some describe new findings of dioxin elevations in Vietnamese from Agent Orange or other sources. A review of the Air Force Health Study findings on associations between dioxin and cancer and also dioxin and adult onset diabetes will be described. An up-to-date review of the epidemiology studies regarding association between dioxins or herbicides and adverse health effects will be presented. A presentation from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) will report on a committee review of the Air Force Health Study, of "Ranch Hand" sprayers of Agent Orange, with their recommendations for possible future research. This long-term study, which has provided data for US veterans' compensation by the Veterans' Administration, is scheduled to end soon. The NAS was asked to review the program and suggest possible future activities for a successor program possibly built upon the present program. Another presentation is on the nature and status of a unique lawsuit filed in a US court on behalf of Vietnamese exposed to Agent Orange. This lawsuit is the first filed on behalf of Vietnamese rather than US or other Vietnam War veterans. A number of legal issues including statute of limitations and injury from war have been raised. The suit is being appealed at this time and an update will also be presented.

Learning Objectives: After attending this session, knowledge of health effects from the Vietnam War on Vietnamese and on US veterans will be increased. Knowledge of other health issues will also be increased. Knowledge concerning activities and recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences regarding a major US Vietnam veteran health research program, the Ranch Hand Air Force Health Study, will be described. The current findings from epidemiology studies relating to Agent Orange and its dioxin contaminant will be understood. A comparison will also be described between the Vietnam war and the current Gulf war.

Moderator(s):

Arnold Schecter, MD, MPH

4:30 PM

U.S./Vietnam Scientific Cooperation: Building Capacity to Evaluate Agent Orange/Dioxin Soil Contamination