Counterpoint: Haley replies
Article Abstract:
Epidemiologists are required to use sound methods for published research without regard to personal points of view. Studies that support a controversial government policy and published by affected government agencies that control public funding for research in a given area are especially deserving of scrutiny. Three government studies related to health effects of the Gulf War on US veterans of the conflict do not stand up to scrutiny, a contention that can be justified point by point. The studies should be reanalyzed with recognition of biases in data.
Publication Name: American Journal of Epidemiology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9262
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Point: bias from the "healthy-warrior effect" and unequal follow-up in three government studies of health effects of the Gulf War
Article Abstract:
Health effects of the Gulf War, based on three studies, were insignificant. The studies found no important differences in death, hospitalization and birth-defect rates between deployed and undeployed groups. The "healthy-warrior effect" must be eliminated as a factor by designing studies that cover comparable deployed and undeployed groups. The effect arises from the fact that a soldier must pass a medical examination to join the military services.
Publication Name: American Journal of Epidemiology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9262
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Counterpoint: negligible "healthy-warrior effect" on Gulf War veterans' mortality
Article Abstract:
Criticisms of research on mortality of US veterans of the Persian Gulf War were unjustified. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to evaluate relative mortality risk. That would correct for a small but significant difference in the demographic and military characteristics between the deployed group and the nondeployed group. It would also correct for the varying follow-up period among veterans of the conflict.
Publication Name: American Journal of Epidemiology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9262
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Proposing resolutions for a healthy New Year. Coding, payment on resolution agenda for delegates. Delegates face resolutions at AMA Interim Meeting
- Abstracts: Platelet count in normal, small, and anemic fetuses. Crown-rump length in chromosomally abnormal fetuses at 10 to 13 weeks' gestation
- Abstracts: Erythrocyte membrane fatty acid composition of smokers and non-smokers: effects of vitamin E supplementation. Selenium status of a group of Scottish adults
- Abstracts: Undertreatment of cancer pain in elderly patients. Potentially inappropriate medication use among elderly home care patients in Europe
- Abstracts: Anti retroviral Therapy for HIV Infection in 1998, Part 4. Anti retroviral Therapy for HIV Infection in 1998, Part 5