It's a great unobtrusive program for Veterans to take part in, and continuing, in related area's, serving those who haven't or won't serve the Country in the Military services. As the Military health care and services along with the Veterans administrations same charges have been giving to civilian care, directly from or in research and development, for as long as they've existed. Not only as to our Country but World wide needs. Even though I served my four in the Navy I never served on ships, all shore duty with my last year served in-country Vietnam. I discharged, honorably, with no physical nor mental diagnoses needs from that service. Didn't really use the VA, knowing the Country has never built what they promised nor fully funded thus not updated nor maintained, duties charged to Congress and State Legislatures the people served representatives, until I retired and started onto Medicare which I paid into all my working days. When asked by my VA caretakers if I wanted to join the research I quickly said sign me up. Having served all shore duty and especially in Vietnam drove that. Gen Shinseki, MVP started under, first VA secretary and with a conservative target on his back had started trying to rebuild the entire VA and targeted also the long ignored and outright denied issues by the country served and through their representatives. Continuing thankfully under Sec. McDonald with finally much needed help from an entire Administrative Branch and it's cabinet, despite continued conservative obstruction and their seeking out 'scandals', nothing done previously with hearings etc. on, that can be built into long running media hyped political, and poser patriotic, points. Agent Orange contamination being just one long fought for recognition, now covering all veterans on certain cancers and illnesses if they served anywhere in-country, that's all the proof they need! The fight, Agent Orange, continues as to adding more Ships and Planes as well as Bases which transported or stored or even used in ridding or growths of weeds etc. on and around those bases, for the Military personal, and their families with them, who could have been affected.
April 25, 2016 - This fall, the Department of Veterans Affairs expects to mark a major milestone in our effort to collect DNA and health data from 1 million Veterans when we enroll the 500,000th volunteer in our Million Veteran Program, making it one of the world’s largest genomic cohorts. We expect to reach our enrollment goal in the next few years.This program’s database links genetic, clinical, lifestyle, and military-exposure information from our patients to help researchers learn more about the role of genes in health and disease. It is already enabling innovative research on the genomics of PTSD, chronic kidney disease, multi-substance abuse and more.
MVP will yield new knowledge about which genes put people at risk for certain diseases, and which ones affect how people respond to treatment. This knowledge could eventually lead to better ways of treating and even preventing many common diseases, including cancer.
Veterans who volunteer to partner with us in this program enroll at one of 50 VA medical centers across the country by donating blood—from which DNA is extracted—and completing surveys about their health, lifestyle, and military experiences.
They also grant access to their electronic health records, and agree to be contacted about participating in future research. We keep all genetic information and health data collected from Veterans secure and de-identified. Samples and data are coded, with no names, birthdates, or social security numbers shared. read more>>>
The ole knock on word I have yet to be diagnosed, through my blood tests and VA care, with any serious health concerns except with millions of others high blood pressure, which is somewhat under control. So my contributions, through DNA etc., are also helping in the research being done as well.
Agent Orange, and the other defoliants used, is not the only battles long fought for recognition and for the people served representatives to address. Even today the returning and now Veterans, Desert Storm and Gulf War Syndrome, Afghanistan and Iraq the Burn Pit contamination's, and much more, are the new homefront battles waged, they too started being addressed by the VA and Sec. Shinseki. But can only be addressed so far in the obstructed and grossly under funded thus under built promise by those served the VA, causing even extreme higher costs when finally any surviving Veterans are given the care they deserve!!
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