VA’s Million Veteran Program celebrates Black History Month - VA News (2024)

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VA’s Million Veteran Program celebrates Black History Month - VA News (1)

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Veterans from different racial and ethnic backgrounds increase their representation in health research

February 15, 2024

Alexis Oriel

Senior Communications Consultant, Million Veteran Program

VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP) has the largest group of people with African ancestry of any research program in the world. This Black History Month, MVP wants to thank Veteran participants from different racial and ethnic backgrounds whose participation is helping to improve the future of Veteran health care.

Ensuring Black communities are represented in health research

Thanks to MVP’s diverse participant group, researchers are learning about:

  • How Black and Hispanic Veterans are more likely than White Veterans to be diagnosed with an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) despite similar levels of alcohol consumption. This research may help health professionals identify and reduce racial and ethnic bias in the AUD diagnosis process.
  • The association between cholesterol and the risk of kidney disease in individuals of African ancestry.
  • Newly identified genetic risk factors for chronic kidney disease in people of African ancestry.
  • Opportunities to improve breast cancer screenings and prevention among women of African descent based on a genetic breast cancer risk assessment.
  • A genetic screening test that may help predict prostate cancer in male Veterans from different racial and ethnic backgrounds.
  • Evidence that diabetes may be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s Disease in Black populations.
  • Parts of people’s genes related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that are different between people of African and European ancestry.

Inclusivity is at the core of MVP

MVP is proud to work with the Center for Minority Veterans to reach diverse Veteran groups across race, ethnicity, gender and age. With nearly one in four MVP participants being from minority backgrounds, MVP strives to improve the future of personalized health care for traditionally underrepresented communities. Diverse health experiences make a positive difference in health research. By joining MVP, you can help ensure your community has a seat at the table.

Help make a difference for Veterans like you

As more Veterans from diverse backgrounds join MVP, researchers have more opportunities to understand how different military experiences and genetics affect overall health and wellness, helping to improve health care for Veterans of all backgrounds. Join more than 1,000,000 Veterans by signing up or calling 866-441-6075 to make an appointment at a participating VA facility.

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2 Comments

  1. Carol WilliamsFebruary 21, 2024 at 10:55 - Reply

    Thanks for this program. In the military I experienced so many unreported racial incidents military as well as every day life; invisible and insignificant but my job got done. Over 200 years of women helping the armed forces. We are getting there thanks to these programs.

  2. Dale NunneryFebruary 18, 2024 at 10:24 - Reply

    This is an EXCELLENT program, especially for our African American Veterans. How can I bring MVP to my local VA Hospital? Thank you and I await your response.

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Last updated February 12, 2024

VA’s Million Veteran Program celebrates Black History Month - VA News (7)

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VA’s Million Veteran Program celebrates Black History Month - VA News (2024)

FAQs

Is the Million Veteran Program legit? ›

About. VA's Million Veteran Program (MVP) is a national research program looking at how genes, lifestyle, military experiences, and exposures affect health and wellness in Veterans. Since launching in 2011, 1 million Veterans have joined MVP.

Who funds the Million Veteran Program? ›

Million Veteran Program is a national, voluntary research program funded entirely by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Research & Development and is an important partnership between VA and Veterans to learn more about how genes affect health and to improve health care for Veterans.

What benefits do black Veterans get? ›

Minority Veterans may be eligible for a wide-variety of benefits available to all U.S. military Veterans. VA benefits include disability compensation, pension, education and training, health care, home loans, insurance, vocational rehabilitation and employment, and burial.

How many Veterans actually use their GI Bill? ›

Overall, around 40.67 percent of Army veterans use their PGIB benefits. However, these usage rates can vary by important demographic and military characteristics.

Why should I join the Million veteran Program? ›

Why is it important that so many Veterans join MVP? In order to best learn about the role of genes, health researchers compare genetic and health information from hundreds of thousands of people.

What is the Million veteran Program all about? ›

We're a health research program that studies how genes, lifestyles, military experiences, and exposures affect health and wellness. Over one million Veterans are part of our program—join our effort to improve health care for all.

What are the demographics of the Million veteran Program? ›

Key facts about the Million Veteran Program:

It reflects the diversity of the Veteran population: More than 250,000 minority Veterans and 100,000 women Veterans have joined the program, and MVP includes more people of African ancestry than any research program in the world.

Where does the VA get their money? ›

First of all, it's taxpayer money. Every year, VA makes a budget request for the following year.

How does the VA spend their money? ›

Expenditure data are grouped by the following categories: Compensation and Pension; Education and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment; Insurance and Indemnities; Construction and Related Costs; General Operating Expenses and Related Costs; Loan Guaranty; and Medical Expenditures.

Who is the most famous black soldier? ›

Here are some examples of the most famous African American veterans who built upon their military service with successful second acts in civilian life
  • Morgan Freeman. Service: Air Force. ...
  • Tracy Marrow, aka Ice-T. ...
  • Berry Gordy Jr. ...
  • David Robinson. ...
  • James Earl Jones. ...
  • Laurence Tureaud, aka Mr. ...
  • Elgin Baylor. ...
  • Harry Belafonte.
Feb 10, 2021

What disqualifies you from VA benefits? ›

absence without official leave (AWOL) for a continuous period of 180 days or more, without compelling circ*mstances to warrant such prolonged unauthorized absence (as determined by VA). This means that if an individual is discharged for any of the above reasons, the law prohibits VA from providing any benefits.

Do disabled veterans get 100% GI Bill? ›

Eligibility for 100% of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits

You served on active duty and received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, or. You served on active duty for at least 30 continuous days (without a break), and we discharged you because of a service-connected disability.

How many veterans get a degree? ›

National Distribution. Only one in three veterans have at least a bachelor's degree, an attainment rate lower than the national population age 25 and older.

Do all veterans get the GI Bill? ›

Am I eligible for VA education benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill? You may be eligible for benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill if you've served on active duty for at least 90 days, whether continuous (all at once) or interrupted (for shorter periods over time), after September 10, 2001.

What's the best veteran charity to donate to? ›

Happy holidays to you and yours!
  • DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Charitable Service Trust – 100% ...
  • Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation – 100% ...
  • Fisher House Foundation – 100% ...
  • Operation First Response – 100% ...
  • Hire Heroes USA – 100%
Dec 19, 2023

What is the success rate of the Veterans Benefit Guide? ›

Our company has a 9 out of 10 success rate guiding clients to receiving a favorable decision. Veterans who work with us receive, on average, increases of an additional $1,300 per month.

Is veteran Project legit? ›

The Military Veteran Project is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, IRS identification number 46-0877378.

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