Publication Type

Conference Paper

Version

submittedVersion

Publication Date

3-2011

Abstract

War is considered one of the most intransigent obstacles to development; yet, the long-run effects of war on individual health have rarely been examined in the context of developing countries. Based on unique data recently collected as a pilot follow-up to the Vietnam Longitudinal Survey, this study examines health status of northern Vietnamese war cohorts (those who entered adulthood during the Vietnam War and now represent Vietnam’s older-adult population). To ascertain whether and how war impacts old-age physical and mental health, we compare multi-dimensional measures of health among war survivors, including civilians, combatants, noncombatants, and nonveterans involved in militia ctivities. Multivariate results suggest that despite prolonged exposure to war and trauma, combat and noncombat veterans are not significantly different from their civilian counterparts in terms of self-rated, functional, and mental health in older adult years. That we do not observe war’s adverse effects for veterans might be explained by the encompassing extent of war in northern Vietnamese society.

Discipline

Asian Studies | Family, Life Course, and Society | Medicine and Health

Research Areas

Sociology

Publication

Population Association of America Annual Meeting, 31 March - 2 April 2011

First Page

1

Last Page

25

City or Country

Washington, DC

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