RESEARCHERS SOUGHT FOR WORLD-FIRST VETERAN FAMILY STUDY

The Australian Government has commenced advertising to identify research organisations to undertake world-first research into the impact of military service on the health and welfare of the families of veterans.

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Bruce Billson, announced the $13.5 million Veteran Family Study research program in August 2007, which will provide an innovative, integrated and holistic approach to the health of veterans’ families.

"A study into the intergenerational health effects of war service has never been done before and my Department’s Family Study Program will see us lead the world in this field," Mr Billson said.

"As a world-first, we seek to appoint suitably qualified and experienced research organisations capable of providing high quality research services to the Family Study Program."

Specifically, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs invites expressions of interest to conduct quantitative and qualitative research into the health status of families of Vietnam veterans, including physical, mental and social health outcomes. 

"Around 200,000 participants will be studied to identify protective factors and those characteristics which help build resilience in families of veterans," Mr Billson said.

With a study of this complexity, a consultative forum will also be established consisting of members with appropriate skills and experience to act as a link between the Department and the veteran community.

These consultative arrangements will facilitate early input from veterans, their families and other interested stakeholders into the work undertaken by the selected researchers.

"The Family Study Program will also monitor the health of families of more recently deployed veterans to inform the range of support programs the Australian Defence Force currently provides these families, before during and post deployment," Mr Billson said.

Expressions of Interest to provide research services to the Family Study Program close 13 December 2007, with documentation available from tenders.gov.au.

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