Department of Veterans Affairs will begin research to follow up the 1988 National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study

VA Department of Veterans Affairs
Office of Public Affairs
Media Relations
Washington, DC 20420
(202) 461-7600
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Katie Roberts
September 14, 2009 katie.roberts@va.gov or 202-461-4982

Secretary Shinseki Announces New Efforts to Explore Health Consequences of Service in Vietnam

WASHINGTON -
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced today plans to begin additional research by the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) to better understand the health consequences of service in Vietnam.

"The National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study (NVVLS) will allow VA to pursue another valuable research tool,
" Secretary Shinseki said.
"The insight we gain from this study will help give us an understanding of how to better serve America's Veterans."

NVVLS will study the Vietnam generation's physical and psychological health.
The new study will supplement research already underway at VA, including studies on PTSD and on the health of
women Vietnam Veterans.
This is a follow-up study to a previous one that concluded in 1988.

VA has begun work to solicit bids to conduct the study, which is expected to run from 2011 through 2013.

VA is responsible for providing federal benefits to Veterans and their families.
VA is the second largest of the 15 cabinet departments and operates nationwide programs for health care,
financial assistance and burial benefits.

The VA health care system operates more than 1,400 sites of care.

Nearly 5.5 million people received care in VA health care facilities in 2008.