In this instance we intend our recommendations to be constructive, but the Committee's findings are severe and unequivocal. The Committee's conclusions appear in three broad chapters. The Executive Summary distills our findings and recommendations. In chapter 2, we present our evaluation of the government's outreach, clinical, research, investigative, and coordination efforts. Chapter 2 includes an assessment of the government's response to recommendations from the Interim Report and reviews de novo issues such as risk communication, access to medical care, the scope of the government's research portfolio, the chemical and biological weapons investigation processes, and the federal government's capacity to respond to veterans' post-conflict health concerns.
Available data are sparse.
Generalizable conclusions about the nature and extent of illness will come only from population-based epidemiologic studies that will not be completed until well after this Committee disbands. Already clearly identified, however, are important avenues for research and a continuing need for compassionate care. The Committee's assessment of possible Gulf War risk factors for service-connected illness appears in chapter 4. We reviewed the limited data regarding the likelihood or extent of exposure to pesticides, chemical and biological warfare agents and the vaccines and drugs used to protect against them, endemic infectious diseases, depleted uranium, oil-well fire smoke and other petroleum products, and psychological and physiological stress.