The Department of Health Studies

Seminar

              Joel E. Michalek, PhD

  University of Texas

Health Science Center at San Antonio

“Misclassification and Confounding in the Air Force Health Study”

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

3:30 p.m.

AMB W229

5841 S. Maryland Ave.

Abstract: The Air Force Health Study was a 20-year epidemiological study of members of Operation Ranch Hand, the Air Force unit that sprayed Agent Orange and other dioxin-contaminated herbicides in Vietnam from 1962 to 1971.  This talk summarizes decisions made during the study pertaining to exposure metrics and adjustment.   In retrospect, the most recent Air Force Health Study journal publications suggest that confounders were missed and subjects were misclassified on exposure.  This talk details the path from protocol development to the final journal article in 2008, summarizing changes in findings in cancer and diabetes to illustrate the time course of statistical adjustment during the 30 year period from 1978 to 2008. 

Persons with a disability who believe they may need assistance should call 2-2453 or e-mail cmartinez@health.bsd.uchicago.edu