Online certification programs provide training in environmental exposures

VA has announced a significant advancement in caring for Veterans with concerns about military environmental exposures.

More than 40% of Veterans seeking health care at VA have reported exposure to hazardous materials during their military service, prompting the development of two free specialized certification programs designed to address the needs of such patients directly.

VA, working with the American College of Preventive Medicine, created the online certification programs to provide comprehensive training on recognizing, assessing and managing exposure-related health conditions. They are taught by leading experts in military environmental exposures and are accessible to health care professionals across various settings, including VA facilities, military health systems and general health care environments.

So far, over 1,000 health care professionals have achieved Level 1 certification, which focuses on developing a foundation in understanding military environmental exposures and health concerns. Topics include airborne hazards, Gulf War illness, and depleted uranium.

Level 2 certification expands on learning how to treat Veterans from the lens of exposure-informed care. Topics include Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune fuels and solvents, Gulf War illness and ionizing radiation.

"With increased interest in military environmental exposures among providers both within and outside of VA, these certifications are instrumental in addressing Veterans' specific health needs," said VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal.

VA's Health Outcomes Military Exposures and War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, working with ACPM, introduced the Level 1 Military Environmental Exposure Certification Program in April 2022, followed by an advanced Level 2 certification program in November 2023.

Health care providers interested in obtaining certification in military environmental exposures are encouraged to visit ACPM's certification program page for more information.