The Million Veterans Program (MVP) pin was given by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) staff to veterans who participated in the Program. The pin is usually worn on a baseball-type cap to indicate both veterans’ participation and also to publicize the program. This pin symbolizes that the veteran has provided a small amount of blood in order to have an expanded testing population base for clinical research. The MVP has become the largest and most diverse genetic research program in the world. The MVP gives the researchers the opportunity to explore how genetics, lifestyle, military experiences, and exposures affect various health conditions. Photo provided.
In November of 2023, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), not only reached an Annual Goal but also reached a significant milestone that was over a decade in achieving.
On November 8, 2023, at 3:46 pm, the one-millionth veteran enrolled in the Million Veterans Program (MVP), achieving a goal that the VA established in 2011.
The MVP was an initial proposal to build the nation’s largest research program dedicated to improving veterans’ health care. The research program will investigate how genetics, lifestyle, military experiences, and exposures affect various health conditions that matter to disabled veterans.
Since the MVP was initiated in 2011, the Program has already made discoveries in healthcare areas that matter for disabled veterans.
These research areas involve: Cancer; Diabetes; Heart Disease; Mental Health (including PTSD and Depression); Osteoarthritis and Suicide Risk.
“MVP’s success starts with veterans –it’s because of their willingness to continue to serve that we were able to reach this historical milestone and continue this research that will improve health care for generations to come,” said Dr. Sumitra Muralidhar, MVP’s Program Director.
“We’re incredibly grateful to these veterans, and to each and every member of the MVP team throughout the country,” commented Dr. Muralidhar, “who dedicate their time and energy to this work every day.”
In 2022, MVP researchers conducted a clinical test and found genetic markers associated with prostate cancer in male veterans varied in racial and ethnic backgrounds. These markers are now being tested in another clinical trial to see if they can better protect those who are at a higher risk for prostate cancer.
Continuing to serve veterans is one of the main reasons Army Veteran and Amelia resident Raymond Hutchinson decided to enroll in the MVP.
“I just wanted to do my part in helping other veterans that served with me,” said Hutchinson. “It only took a few minutes and I am now a member of one million other veterans who have participated in this historical medical research project, making a difference for other generations of veterans.”
The other significant Goal achieved by the VA occurred on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. On that day, the VA announced that it has permanently housed 38,847 homeless veterans through October of 2023.
This achievement surpassed the VA’s calendar year goal to permanently house 38,000 homeless veterans by two (2) months earlier.
Other goals accomplished through October, were that the VA engaged with 34,498 unsheltered veterans to make them aware of the various housing and resources they earned by their military service; and ensured that ninety-six (96.2%) of veterans housed have remained in the housing provided to them.
Ending veterans’ homelessness is the top priority of the VA. According to the VA, President Biden has made supporting veterans a key pillar of his Unity Agenda for the Nation.
In 2022, the VA had housed more than 40,000 formerly homeless veterans and prevented more than 17,700 veterans and their families from falling into homelessness. It has also helped 191,700 additional veteran families, who were experiencing financial difficulties to retain their homes or avoid foreclosure.
“More than 38,000 veterans now have the safe, stable homes that they deserve—and there’s nothing more important than that,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “While we met our goals for 2023, we’re not stopping here. We’re going to keep pushing – through the end of the calendar year and beyond – until every veteran has a safe, stable place to call home in this country they fought to defend.”
The VA’s efforts to reduce veteran homelessness are grounded in reaching out to homeless veterans, understanding their unique needs, and addressing them. These efforts are based on the principle of a “Housing First” approach.
The “Housing First” concept prioritizes getting a veteran into housing, then providing the veteran with the wraparound support they need to stay housed, including health care, job training, legal and education assistance.
In some cases, VA staff and partners help veterans end their homelessness by reuniting them with family and friends.
My Opinion: At the 2015 Disabled American Veterans (DAV) National Convention, I stopped at the VA Table and enrolled in the VA’s Million Veterans Program (MVP). It took less than five (5) minutes to fill out the required form and provide a small sampling of my blood. I received an MVP pin, which I still wear on my baseball cap, for my participation.
About four (4) years ago, I received an eight (8) page form from the MVP, which took about ten (10) minutes to complete. That has been the only time that I have personally been involved in the Program.
However, it is a good feeling to know that my small sample of blood, which I donated in 2015, may be used in future research positively impacting veterans twenty (20) years from now. VA researchers are dedicated to improving the health of veterans through the MVP and I support that.
Congratulations are extended to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for achieving their two (2) goals in November of 2023!!
John Plahovinsak is a retired 32-year Army veteran, who served from 1967 to 1999. He is the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Department of Ohio’s Hospital Chairman and Adjutant of DAV Chapter #63 (Clermont County). He can be reached at: plahovinsak@msn.com.