Gulf War Illnesses: Basic Questions Unanswered
Abstract
We are pleased to be here today to discuss our recently completed report on the research and investigations conducted on Gulf War veterans' illnesses. Many of the approximately 700,000 Gulf War veterans have complained of illnesses since the war's end in 1991, and over 10 percent have completed health examinations through the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) or Department of Defense (DOD). Some are concerned they are suffering from chronic disabling conditions because of exposures during the war to agents with known or suspected effects on health. In response to this concern, the government has funded research, investigation, and information activities through various agencies, including DOD, VA, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These agencies participate in an interagency group, the Persian Gulf Veterans' Coordinating Board, which was established in 1994 to coordinate these activities. The Coordinating Board's Research Working Group, currently chaired by the Department of Veterans Affairs, focuses on research planning, review, and dissemination, but it is not authorized to manage or distribute the Departments' research funds. In 1996, DOD established the Office of the Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses to oversee DOD's efforts regarding illnesses being experienced by Gulf War veterans. As requested, today we will discuss the expenditures on these efforts by the Departments of Defense, Veterans' Affairs, and Health and Human Services and our work to evaluate their results.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 02, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA373297
Entities
People
- Kwai-cheung Chan
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office