VA Unveils MVP -- Million Veteran Program

The Department of Veterans Affairs went national May 5 with a genomics research program that officials call a “game-changer." The initiative, which relies heavily on databases, is underpinned by the use of healthcare information technology.

“It is my honor to join with so many fellow veterans in keeping VA at the leading edge of genomics research,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “This innovative research program will support VA’s mission to provide veterans and their families with the care they have earned.”

“The Veterans Affairs Research and Development Program has launched the Million Veteran Program, or MVP – an important partnership between VA and veterans to learn more about how genes affect health, and thus, transform healthcare for veterans and for all Americans,” said Robert A. Petzel, MD, VA’s under secretary for health.

As described by the VA, the program is a trailblazing VA effort to consolidate genetic, military exposure, health, and lifestyle information together in one single database. The database will be used only by authorized researchers with VA, other federal health agencies and academic institutions within the United States – in a secure manner – to conduct health and wellness studies to determine which genetic variations are associated with particular health issues. By identifying gene-health connections, the program could advance disease screening, diagnosis and prognosis and point the way toward more effective, personalized therapies.