Australia, U.S. to launch joint research project on veteran health

Xinhuanet English news: Australia, U.S. to launch joint research project on veteran health

CANBERRA, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Australia Veterans Affairs Minister Warren Snowdon said Tuesday Australia and the U.S. will launch a joint research project on the mental and physical health of veterans of recent conflicts.

Snowdon and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard attended the launch of the Vietnam War education center in Washington, the United States on Monday.

Australia was a U.S. ally in the Vietnam War, and about 40,000 Australians had served during the conflict. More than 500 Australians lost their lives in the Vietnam War.

Snowdon said there are significant numbers of Australians who are going to be calling on the support of the Australian defense department, and when they leave the defense force, they will be clients of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In that case, Snowdon said he wanted to ensure that Australia was providing the best possible support for veterans and the joint research project would compare the outcomes of past U.S. and Australian deployments and research similarities and differences.

He said some of the practices used in medical and research centers in Washington and New York, which treat injured or ill veterans, could also be used in Australia.

"We have every reason to believe that we are doing what we should be doing," he told the Australia Associated Press from the United States.

"But that doesn't mean we can't improve. That is why this joint research project with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is so important."

During his visit to the U.S., Snowdon will meet U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki and visit facilities treating injured U.S. personnel. He will also lay a wreath at the main U.S. war cemetery at Arlington.