Environmental Health Strategic Health Care Group: About Us

As part of VA's Public Health office, the Environmental Health Strategic Health Care Group (SHG) administers various programs related to environmental and occupational exposures of U.S. Veterans during military service, including Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF), Gulf War, Vietnam, World War II and atomic Veterans activities.

The Environmental Health SHG also maintains several registries based on these exposures and manages the War Related Injury and Illness Study Centers.

Our programs are carried out under the leadership of Michael R. Peterson, D.V.M., M.P.H., Dr.PH.

The Environmental Health SHG consists of three interrelated programs:

• The Environmental Epidemiology Service (EES) conducts surveillance and studies on Veterans’ health and health care. Findings from EES studies help health professionals and policymakers, including VA and Congress, improve health care practices and policies for Veterans. View ongoing research studies and published studies.
• The Environmental Agents Service evaluates research, recommends policy and develops educational and outreach materials for various environmental issues and health outcomes related to military service, including:
  • Agent Orange
  • Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses
  • Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom Hazardous Exposures
• The Radiation and Physical Exposures Service evaluates research, recommends policy, and develops medical opinions and training and outreach materials for various physical exposures, including:
  • Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation
  • Toxic Embedded Fragments
  • Depleted Uranium
  • Cold and Heat Injuries (Thermal Injuries)
  • Project 112/Project SHAD
  • Mustard Gas 
  • Occupational and Environmental Hazards
  • Noise, Vibration and Other Physical Exposure

Contact the Environmental Health Strategic Health Care Group