Veterans’ Health Matters

Current Insights into PFAS

In this episode, Dr. Terra Vincent-Hall, Senior Toxicologist at the Exposure Science Program, Health Outcomes Military Exposures, shares her expertise in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).  She discusses what PFAS are, various ways in which Veterans may have been exposed to PFAS, and steps healthcare providers can take to address any PFAS-related health concerns.  This discussion was recorded August 2023.  RESOURCES  PFAS - Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances - Public Health (va.gov): Includes information on PFAS military exposures and associated health concerns    Guidance on PFAS Exposure, Testing, and Clinical Follow-Up | The National Academies Press: Provides guidance on PFAS exposure, testing, and clinical follow-up    Learn about PFAS | ATSDR (cdc.gov): CDC website on PFAS and PFAS exposure   Exposure Ed | VA Mobile: VA’s Exposure Ed App 

Addressing Neurocognitive Functioning in Gulf War Illness

In this episode, Dr. David Litke, Clinical Psychologist, shares his expertise in cognitive rehabilitation and treatment of military exposure related neurocognitive dysfunction as he discusses common neurocognitive concerns for Veterans with Gulf War Illness and possible treatments to explore. This discussion was recorded July 2023.  RESOURCES Gulf War Illness Factsheet for Providers:  gulf-war-illness-for-providers.pdf (va.gov)      Neuropsychological characteristics of Gulf War illness: A meta-analysis (Janulewicz et al., 2017)  https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0177121     Neuropsychological Findings in Gulf War Illness: A Review (Jeffrey et al., 2019)  https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02088/full     eteran Self-Training:  https://www.veterantraining.va.gov/index.asp.    “Moving Forward” Course: Moving Forward: Overcome Life's Challenges - Veteran Training (va.gov) 

Radiation Exposure Incidents, Health Risks and Exposure-Informed Care

Listen in to this episode of the Veterans Health Matters podcast to hear Danny McClung, Heath Physicist and Radiological Consultant for VA’s Post Deployment Health Services (PHDS), discuss radiation exposure incidents, the health implications of radiation exposure, as well as exposure-informed care and the resources available to Veterans.  RESOURCESVET-HOME portal https://vethome.va.gov/VET-HOME support: 1-833-MEE-VTHM or 1-833-633-8846 Ionizing Radiation Registry: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/radiation/benefits/registry-exam.asp About VET-HOME: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/VET-HOME/index.aspAbout Military Environmental Exposures: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/index.aspAbout Radiation: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/radiation/index.aspVA Disability Benefits: https://www.va.gov/disability/About PACT Act: https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) Website: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WRIISC SharePoint: https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/vawriisc

Radiation Exposure, the Ionizing Radiation Registry, and the PACT Act

Listen in to this episode of the Veterans Health Matters podcast to hear Danny McClung, Heath Physicist and Radiological Consultant for VA’s Post Deployment Health Services (PHDS), provides an overview of Radiation Exposure, the difference between ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, the Ionizing Radiation Health Registry, as well as specific incidents and clean-up efforts.  RESOURCESVET-HOME portal https://vethome.va.gov/VET-HOME support: 1-833-MEE-VTHM or 1-833-633-8846 Ionizing Radiation Registry: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/radiation/benefits/registry-exam.asp  About VET-HOME: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/VET-HOME/index.aspAbout Military Environmental Exposures: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/index.aspAbout Radiation: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/radiation/index.asp VA Disability Benefits: https://www.va.gov/disability/About PACT Act: https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) Website: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WRIISC SharePoint: https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/vawriisc

Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry 2.0

Listen in to this episode of the Veterans Health Matters podcast to hear Dr. Patricia Hastings, Chief Consultant for Health Outcomes Military Exposures, highlights the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry 2.0, why it was redesigned, how the redesign impacts Veterans, as well as how the redesign benefits Veterans who may have been exposed.  RESOURCESVET-HOME portal https://vethome.va.gov/About VET-HOME: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/VET-HOME/index.aspAbout Military Environmental Exposures: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/index.aspAbout Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pits: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/index.aspVA Disability Benefits: https://www.va.gov/disability/ About PACT Act: https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) Website: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WRIISC SharePoint: https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/vawriisc