P.O.W. life hit health

Press, 12 November 1977, Page 7

P.O.W. life hit health

Parliamentary reporter Wellington

The results of a Christchurch survey show that, relative to other former servicemen, former prisoners of war continue to have their health impaired as a result of their war experience. The study, sponsored by the War Pensions Medical Research Trust Board, was carried out in association with the combined returned services organisations in Christchurch by researchers from the Health Department’s management services and research unit and the epidemiology unit at Wellington Hospital. The past and present health of three groups of former servicemen were compared — a group who, on average, spent three years in captivity in Europe; a group whp went overseas but were not incarcerated; and a group who served at home. A total of 518 men took part in the Study. No difference was shown

in health before military service among the men who went overseas but at militarydischarge the former prisoners were clearly a disadvantaged group. Now, 30 years on, the study shows that, however it is assessed — by the number and length of hospital admissions, by the number of attendances at the doctor, by the number of symptoms and reported, illnesses or by selfassessed general health — the former prisoners remain a disadvantaged group. In search of an explanation for these findings, the researchers compared the three groups on the basis of age, marital status, family size, occupational history and a number of other variables, but could find no obvious explanation apart from the differing war experience. The survey findings strongly support the general view that many prisoners of war, especially those who were harshly treated, those who were incarcerated for a prolonged period, those who were young when captured, and those of limited educational attainment, suffered and continue to suffer as a result of their experience.