Examining Possible Causes of Gulf War Illness
Abstract
Shortly after the 1991 Persian Gulf War ended, veterans of that conflict began reporting a variety of physical and psychological symptoms, some of which remain unexplained. To track this issue, the Secretary of Defense in 1996 designated that a Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses (OSAGWI) oversee all Department of Defense efforts related to these conditions. This research brief outlines assistance that RAND provided to the OSAGWI in investigating the health effects of eight areas of possible causes of illness: infectious diseases, pyridostigmine bromide, immunizations, wartime stress, chemical and biological warfare agents, oil well fires, depleted uranium, and pesticides.
Full Article: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB7544.html?fbclid=IwAR3d5Jp3rgy-lW8Ty_inIoJNBHxcpFlTpnPeEFxcTWsUD88oJ_gPonlBSaA
PDF Form: https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_briefs/2005/RAND_RB7544.pdf