A report commissioned to develop a research methodology to study the health of children of Vietnam veterans has been released today by the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs, Bruce Billson. “The Centre for Military and Veterans Health (CMVH), has developed a sound and workable research protocol to enable an examination of the effects of fathers’ military deployment on sons and daughters of Vietnam veterans,” Mr Billson said.

“CMVH brought together a panel of eminent academics from a range of disciplines, consulted with the veteran community and pre-tested the research strategy, protocol and instruments to ensure the methodology was appropriate and workable. The report released today paves the way for an academic institution to promptly implement a study of the health and well-being of children of Vietnam veterans.”

Mr Billson said the CMVH report provides a way forward that addresses the methodological issues associated with the study of the health and well-being of sons and daughters of Vietnam veterans. “Importantly the protocol addresses protective as well as risk factors and includes consideration of social as well as physical and mental health,” Mr Billson said.

“In addition, the literature review in the report will provide my Department with a firm background to the issues that may affect families following deployment and identified areas for future research. The study of intergenerational health effects is a new and emerging field and as such does not exist as a single discipline, particularly for military and veterans’ health.” Mr Billson said the protocol provides a significant next step for the study of families of veterans.