Exposure to airborne hazards during military service is a serious concern for many Veterans and active-duty service members. VA established the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (AHOBPR) in 2014 to document these types of exposures and help researchers better understand potential long-term health effects.
The VA estimates that over three million Veterans and active-duty service members are eligible to join the registry. In this interview, Gary sits down with Dr. Patricia Hastings, who will share how participating in the registry can help Veterans proactively monitor their own health, get connected to the care and services they need – and help other Veterans along the way.
Dr. Patricia Hastings is the Chief Consultant for VA Post Deployment Health Services within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Dr. Hastings previously served in the Army for 33 years, retiring at the rank of Colonel. She is a board-certified emergency medicine physician who has completed a Disaster Medicine Fellowship with an emphasis in public health. A graduate of the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Science in Des Moines, Iowa, she also worked as a paramedic and registered nurse prior to attending medical school.
