Disposition of the Air Force Health Study

The Vietnam War was fought in a jungle environment that provided cover to the enemy and made battlefield observations difficult, so military strategists used herbicides to remove foliage along key roads and waterways, defoliate areas surrounding enemy bases and supply and communications routes, and improve visibility in heavily canopied forests. The last three decades have seen an ongoing debate about the effects of this military use of herbicides and the potential adverse long-term health effects on those who may have been exposed to these herbicides. In response to these concerns, the Air Force Health Study (AFHS) was created to investigate the potential relationship between the herbicides used and the health problems of those exposed. Disposition of the Air Force Health Study assesses the scientific merit of the AFHS operations and procedures, and makes recommendations for improvement. Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive Summary1 Introduction2 Background3 The Air Force Health Study Database4 The Air Force Health Study Specimens Repository5 Value of the AFHS Research Assets6 Options and Recommendations for Further Study of the AFHS Data AssetsAppendix A Agendas of Public Meetings Held by the Committee on the Disposition of the Air Force Health StudyAppendix B Air Force Health Study DataAppendix C Epidemiological Studies of Vietnam Veterans HealthAppendix D Calculation of Expected Number of Deaths in the US Air Force Ranch Hand Morbidity Study Cohort over the Next 10 YearsAppendix E Comparison of Data Sharing Programs That Use Data EnclavesAppendix F Committee on the Disposition of the Air Force Health Study