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Re: Ethics in Archives



Hi Valerie,

an interesting subject. Regarding health related records, here are some
general comments for information.

I think that it is generally accepted that privacy has an expiry date,
commonly associated with the death of the subject, however certain records
can still be controversial after the subject's death and so require longer
closure periods.

I understand that the medical records of WW1 Australian service personnel
are still not open despite the death of virtually all of the subjects (even
where this can be proven). Apparently sexually transmitted diseases were so
common among the troops that the implications for family members back home
(and society at large) are quite significant.