Health Impact of Chemical Exposures During the Gulf War: A Research Planning Conference. Held in Atlanta, Georgia on February 28-March 2, 1999.

摘要

On February 28 through March 2, 1999, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) brought together scientists, clinicians, veterans, veterans' service organizations, Congressional staff, and other interested parties to discuss and make recommendations regarding the direction of future research on undiagnosed illnesses among Gulf War veterans and their links with multiple chemical and environmental exposures. The format for the conference included plenary sessions, concurrent workgroups, and a veterans' forum. The plenary sessions included an overview of research findings regarding the health impact of the Gulf War, a panel discussion of the experience of Gulf War veterans, a series of presentations on the possible health outcomes of low-level chemical exposures focusing on nervous system, immune system, and pulmonary system outcomes, a series of panel discussions on research and clinical findings regarding multiple chemical sensitivity among Gulf War veterans and civilian populations, a series of presentations on possible mechanisms of action of chemical exposures, and a panel discussion on methodological considerations in studying the health impact of chemical exposures during the Gulf War. The concurrent workgroups were asked to develop research recommendations in four areas: pathophysiology, etiology, and mechanisms of action; assessment and diagnosis of illnesses; treatment; and prevention of illnesses in future deployments. Each workgroup was asked to develop research recommendations that addressed specific issues.