VVA Decries The Lack Of Vietnam Veteran Agent Orange Studies

1/24/2003

From: Mokie Porter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, 301-585-4000 Ext. 146

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- Although the Institute of Medicine today announced its finding of sufficient evidence of an association between chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and herbicide exposure, it strongly recommended a comprehensive epidemiological study of the current health of Vietnam veterans. In fact, the last four IOM reports have voiced concern about the lack of data specific to Vietnam veterans.

"We have long questioned," said VVA National President Thomas H. Corey, "how the IOM can make decisions without adequate information. We agree with the IOM that there is a terrible lack of research on the health of Vietnam veterans, especially in regards to the risks of exposure to herbicides and the overall risk of diseases. All these years have passed, and we still don't have reliable information."

Additionally, VVA Health Care Committee chair Dr. Linda Schwartz said, "The lag time between exposure and the onset of disease symptoms can be great. The latency period for cancer, for example, is estimated to be 20-30 years. In practical terms, this means that many diseases that may have been overlooked before are clearly evident now. Health studies of Vietnam veterans need to be done now. It is already too late for many."

A review of five thousand obituaries in The VVA Veteran indicated that the average age at death was 51. The VVA Health Care Committee currently is examining death certificates to ascertain the cause of death of VVA members.

The IOM determination of an association between CLL and herbicide exposure was hailed as a small victory for suffering Vietnam veterans. "But knowledge and justice both continue to elude us," Corey said. He also applauded the IOM's recommendation that samples and records from the Air Force's Ranch Hand Study be made available to future researchers.

------ Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) is the nation's only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated to the needs of Vietnam-era veterans and their families. VVA's founding principle is "Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another."