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 Contents


Front Matter
Executive Summary
1 Introduction
2 Background
3 The Air Force Health Study Database
4 The Air Force Health Study Specimens Repository
5 Value of the AFHS Research Assets
6 Options and Recommendations for Further Study of the AFHS Data Assets
Appendix A Agendas of Public Meetings Held by the Committee on the Disposition of the Air Force Health Study
Appendix B Air Force Health Study Data
Appendix C Epidemiological Studies of Vietnam Veterans Health
Appendix D Calculation of Expected Number of Deaths in the US Air Force Ranch Hand Morbidity Study Cohort over the Next 10 Years
Appendix E Comparison of Data Sharing Programs That Use Data Enclaves
Appendix F Committee on the Disposition of the Air Force Health Study