Contact: Denise Kerr
Cincinnati VAMC Public Affairs
, (513) 487-6056
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2013
CVAMC Named As a Million Veteran Program Site
Cincinnati - The Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center announced today its selection as a local site for the Million Veteran Program (MVP). The goal of the program is to enroll one million Veterans into a longitudinal cohort to study disease and potential genetic predictors.
“The program will study any and all diseases that affect our Veteran population,” said Chief of Research Service Dr. Ralph Panos. “The study will give insight on how genetic characteristics, behaviors and environmental factors impact Veterans’ health.”
Under the study, participants will donate a blood sample to be stored for use in future studies on any disease or illness, complete a lifestyle survey and allow access to clinical data or electronic medical records. Researchers need to recruit 16 Veterans daily over 5-7 years to reach the national goal of one million Veterans.
“We are excited to be joining a national team that has enrolled over 200,000 participants since January 2011,” said CVAMC Local Site Investigator Dr. John Harley. “The data generated and samples collected will enable investigators to explore important issues that impact the diagnosis and best management for the many diseases that afflict our Veteran population.”
MVP is conducted under the oversight of the Veterans Affairs Central Institutional Review Board. Each site will be assigned a research coordinator and research assistant to facilitate recruitment goals.
Veterans enrolled in VA health care may elect to participate in the study at MVP special events, by walk-in or receive information through MyHealtheVet.
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