The Million Veteran Program (MVP) just made history: 1,000,000 Veterans have joined VA’s largest health research effort.
More than a decade ago, the MVP team had a dream to build the nation’s largest research program dedicated to improving Veteran health care. It started with the vision of enrolling one million Veterans so that researchers could better understand how genes, lifestyle, military experiences and exposures affect health and wellness.
What started as a vision is now a reality as MVP is one of the largest and most diverse research programs of its kind.
Veterans helping Veterans
As the first VA research program to reach a recruitment milestone this large, MVP is paving the way for improved Veteran health and wellness. Veterans across race, gender, age and service branch are coming together for one mission: to advance Veteran health care.
Terrence Hayes, VA’s press secretary and an Army Veteran of 20 years, knows his calling is to help other Veterans. “I served in the military for 20 years, fighting alongside my battle buddies, and I want to do that in this field as well. I want to be able to raise my hand, be a part of some research that can be groundbreaking for men and women just like myself who have served,” Hayes shared.
Helping future Veterans is one of the main reasons Army Veteran Benjamin Flynn decided to join MVP. “I look at it as a way to do my part and make sure that the men and women that served alongside me, before me and after me are all properly taken care of,” Flynn said.
Their reasons for joining may differ but one thing remains consistent: Veterans helping Veterans.
Making important discoveries that matter to Veterans
MVP’s commitment to changing the future of Veteran health care is rooted in its research—made possible by Veterans like you. The goal for our research is to help find new ways to detect, prevent and treat health conditions that matter to Veterans. More participants from all backgrounds means more opportunities to find positive, real-world applications to improve Veteran health care in clinical settings.
Since MVP launched in 2011, the program has already made discoveries in health care areas that matter to Veterans, such as:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Osteoarthritis
- Tinnitus
- Mental health, including PTSD and depression
- Suicide risk
Thanks to the 1,000,000 Veterans who have joined MVP, we are one step closer to transforming personalized health care for all Veterans and, ultimately, all Americans.
Looking to the future of Veteran health care
While achieving the million milestone is significant, MVP’s mission and research do not stop here.
“I’m encouraging every Veteran, no matter where they’re from, no matter what demographic: If you are thinking about helping other folks, if you want to continue your service, sign up for MVP. This will help us really make some groundbreaking efforts for our health,” Hayes added.
What kind of discoveries will MVP make on the road to its next milestone? Join today to find out and help us continue making a difference in the future of Veteran health care. Sign up at www.mvp.va.gov or call 866-441-6075 to make an appointment at a participating VA facility. You don’t need to receive your care at VA to participate.
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useless inaccurate survey
I signed up for MVP a few years ago. I am just hoping that the results will afford Cold War Vets some coverage for specific issues, since most of us, unless we were career vets, have no medical coverage at all. Is there a report somewhere that shows the results from the million or more participants?
It has always been a privilege to serve my country and its citizens. I feel very fortunate to be able to continue my service through the VA. They have so many great people looking after and caring for all our veterans. On this thanksgiving day it is appropriate for all citizens to take a moment to remember all those who serve and offer thanks.
I joined to do my part and to give back in any way I can!
Show us the discoveries! Make each of the ‘discoveries’ linked so we can see how our contributions have impacted our peers and successors.
I hope it works out better than I experienced at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. I had a really great doctor for years and then she retired. About this time they “reorganized” and I got several notifications that this was was my doctor and that was my doctor and after a while I got a notification it had been a while since I had been into see my doctor and I was given the name of another doctor to come in and see as my primary care physician. So I show up on the appointed time and the doctor asked I have any problems that day. I said well my stomach and my back has been bothering me. The doctor looked at me and asked didn’t I have Medicare and Tricare and why didn’t I use them for those issues? I was floored! She said was there anything else and asked if I could have bloodwork done? She said yes and took me down to the lab and the last I ever saw of her. I complained and about the incident, was assigned a new doctor and have had one visit with her and I have been unable to contact her since. I am a retired CWO-3 from the Marine Corps, 21 years, 3 tours in Vietnam, Recon, Infantry, Combined Action Platoons.
This is not the same VA I first started with when I retired. They turn the phones off at 1630. And they don’t return phone calls or messages. I told them in my last message to my shrink “I did my part and my job and now it’s time for you to yours.” That was over a week ago and I still haven’t heard from anyone.
I’m 100% full and permanent disabled for PTSD. However, the VA said I only have problems from Agent Orange in one leg so I guess in their infinite wisdom that means I hopped on one leg from March 1964 until completion of my third tour I think in April of 1971?. As suggested by the VA doctor I am being successfully treated by a civilian doctor for my problems with AO.
I joined MVP years ago. But I have not been notified of any specific benefits for participating.
Please let me know what to expect.
Sincerely,
Joe Barrera
Combat Veteran, Vietnam War
I’ve been involved with this effort for 3 years now and I sincerely believe future benefits for vets will be the result. If you haven’t joined this program… you should! Brothers are depending on you!
The MVP started out for Gulf War vets long ago. It was a bad joke then because it focused on mental illness, and still does. Smart people like me never joined because we learned where it was going. Long term research for somatic illnesses. A twist on the WRIISC program that started it.
This is a ship of fools VA is VERY proud of alright. Bad research that does not look for specialized labs, body tissue collection for analysis, or genetic research from the DOD serum repository proving before and after a war damage. This program represents to worst ideas of Environment Agents has to offer. I would know, I was there at its creation.
As a member shouldn’t we be privy to the results accumulated to date? I would be interested in any details to date.
I am quite confident that I can say not only for myself but for all the veterans who have signed up for this effort that it is an honor & a privilege to be able to help out our fellow veterans. We all gave up years of our lives – in my case, a little over 20 years – for our country, & some of us are suffering as a result. We are here to aid them in any way we can. Our heartfelt thanks to all the medical & admin folks who developed & are running this program.
joeinbuenosaires
I being a member since 2011 I believe in the program. Thank the organization for allowing me to be a Chang for the future health care for veterans around the globe.
What a joke. Do you realize how few WWII veterans are still living? Most are at or over 100 years old. Giving the few that are left, for the most part, means hospice, a currently free to almost free service for everyone.
Think about it. Almost no WWII veterans still alive. Saying you’re going to provide those few free health care means almost zero expense for the government.
Nothing but a political campaign ploy to get votes from people who don’t/won’t think it through and realize it’s just another one of Biden’s political lies.
Like I said, what a rotten joke.
The military should, due to their loyalty and sacrifice to our nation, be giving free medical care to all veterans for life. That would demonstrate true appreciation for their loyalty, service and sacrifices.
I one hundred percent agree free quality healthcare.
I still want another USVA outpatient physical.The LOS requirements changed.Mr. Chris Van Hollen’s office is very useful.I did Pro Bono work for USVA-BVA too.
Thats Great hope to get help when i need it .