The Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence was established and congressionally recognized in 2019 as a part of VA’s War Related Injury and Illness Study Center (WRIISC). The Center specializes in clinical and translational research that uses scientific insights to help improve health outcomes for Veterans exposed to airborne hazards while deployed. Click here for the full article
In May 2019, Congress and the President formally designated (Public Law 115-929) the Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence (AHBPCE) at the New Jersey War Related Illness and Injury Study Center as a VA Center of Excellence. The Center conducts clinical and translational research related to airborne hazards and burn pits focusing on a range of health outcomes including unexplained shortness of breath, cough and dyspnea, among other related respiratory concerns. The AHBPCE has established a network of VA physician scientists, referred to as the Post Deployment Cardiopulmonary Evaluation Network (PDCEN) to conduct clinical evaluations enabling the AHBPCE to expand the clinical study of identified Veterans. The PDCEN is currently comprised of four Site Directors who are VA physician-scientists, all with academic appointments at the university affiliates, with unique expertise and interest in this topic area. Each site has leveraged unique resources from their university affiliates, including clinical and research training opportunities for university students, to enhance the Network. Click here for full article
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