VA Gulf War Advisory Committee meets today

VA’s Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses is hosting two engagement sessions for Gulf War Veterans to raise questions and talk about their Gulf War Illness.

The sessions will be followed by a committee parent meeting, which helps the committee with knowledge and information for its mission. Events are both virtual and in person at the Oahu Veterans Center, 1298 Kukila Street, Honolulu, Hawaii. The meetings are free and open to the public.

Dates and times of engagement sessions

The Veteran Engagement Sessions will occur in two sessions on February 7. The first session begins at 2:30 p.m. ET (9:30 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time), and the second begins at 6:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. HST). Family members, caregivers and others interested in research related to the health of 1990-91 Gulf War Veterans are welcome.

The focus of the engagement sessions is to listen to Gulf War Veterans’ stories concerning Gulf War Illness. They will be asked for their input on Gulf War Illness related questions:

What health problems concern you most about the Gulf War?

What treatments helped you manage your Gulf War health issues?

What aspects of your Gulf War Illness affects your quality of life?

What helps you manage them?

If you could tell the VA Secretary one thing about being a Gulf War Veteran with Gulf War Illness, what would it be?

Parent committee meeting with time for public comments

On February 8 and 9, the committee will hold its parent committee meeting beginning at 2 p.m. ET (9 a.m. HST) that will focus on military toxic exposures from a Veteran perspective, as well as advancements in exposure research from VA and non-VA subject matter experts. This meeting will also introduce new committee leadership.

There will be thirty minutes reserved for public comments at the end of the meeting each day.

Join VES online Feb. 7

Session 1: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. HST (2:30 to 5:30 p.m. ET)

Session 2: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. HST (6:30 to 9:30 p.m. ET)

Same web address and phone number for both sessions.

Password: GWVets1991!

Join by phone: (Toll-free) 1-833-558-0712, access code is 2763 972 4848

Join the Committee Meeting online Feb. 8

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. HST (2 to 8 p.m. ET)

Same web address and phone number for both sessions.

Password: GWVets1991!Day1

Join by phone: (Toll-free) 1-833-558-0712, access code is 2764 095 6460

Join the Committee Meeting online, Feb. 9

9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. HST (2 to 5:30 p.m. ET)

https://veteransaffairs.webex.com/veteransaffairs/j.php?MTID=m72d75aac18fba27411f56bd32a375bf3

Password: GWVets1991!Day2

Join by phone: (Toll-free) 1-833-558-0712, Access code is 2763 890 9669

Here’s more information about these meetings and other related items.

All Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses and VES meetings are open to Veterans, family members, physicians, scientists and members of the public.