The Air Force Health Study: An Epidemiologic Investigation of Health Effects in Air Force Personnel Following Exposure to Herbicides. Mortality Update 1996.
Abstract
The purpose of the Air Force Health Study is to determine whether those individuals involved in the spraying of herbicides in Vietnam during the Ranch Hand operation have experienced any adverse health effects as a result of their participation in that program. The study is designed to evaluate both the mortality (death) and morbidity (disease) in these individuals over a 20-year period beginning in 1982. The Baseline Mortality Report was released in June 1983, the Baseline Morbidity Report in February 1984. Follow-up mortality reports were released in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1993 and 1994. This study has not demonstrated health effects which can be conclusively attributed to herbicide or dioxin exposure. In summary, the overall all-cause mortality experience of the Ranch Hands is not significantly different from that expected. As of 31 December 1993, 118 (9.4%) of the 1261 Ranch Hands have died; the expected number of deaths is 119.95. The observed and expected numbers of deaths among all Ranch Hands were not significantly different for accidental deaths, suicides and deaths caused by malignant neoplasms and circulatory system diseases. However, there were borderline significant increased numbers of Ranch Hand deaths due to circulatory system diseases in nonflying enlisted Ranch Hands. In contrast to previous reports, deaths caused by digestive disease and deaths due to ill-defined and unknown causes in enlisted flyers are no longer significantly increased.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA313571
Entities
People
- Norma S. Ketchum
Organizations
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine