The Department of Veterans Affairs' Million Veteran Program (MVP) recently had its 500,000th veteran to voluntarily enroll in the research database program — making MVP the largest genomic database in the world. Launched in 2011, participants donate blood from which DNA is extracted. A baseline and periodic follow-up surveys track veterans' military experiences, health and lifestyles. Researchers believe the information contained in the database could hold the key to preventing and treating diseases. For more information about MVP, including how to participate, visit VA's MVP webpage. For information about the 52 VA sites currently enrolled in the program, visit VA's Office of Research and Development webpage.
For more on veteran benefits, visit the Military.com Benefits Center.
