Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence Participates in the 2017 Military and Veteran Health Research Forum

Minister O'Regan addresses forum participants

TORONTO, Sept. 26, 2017 /CNW/ - Canadians and the Government of Canada acknowledge the immense contribution in service to our country of Veterans and their families. It is critical that members of the Canadian Armed Forces and Canada's Veterans know that when they sign up to serve and protect Canada, the people of Canada will support them.

The Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, today addressed participants at the eighth annual Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) Forum.

During the Forum, Minister O'Regan met with leading Canadian and international researchers, academics and experts on military and Veteran health. Hosted by the CIMVHR, the Forum focused on research and rehabilitation related to mental and physical health, as well as the social well-being of active duty personnel, Veterans and their families. Topics covered included physical and mental health; novel health technologies; transition from military to civilian life; occupational health; gender differences in health; and the ethics of health care and the healing of moral injury as it relates to service.

Quotes

"Our Government is proud to partner with the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research. The importance of research, and expanding research partnerships, to better the health of active duty personnel and Veterans through evidence-informed practices, policies and programs, cannot be overstated."
The Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

"Delegates gather annually at our Forum to present new research findings, identify knowledge gaps, network, and educate the future generation of researchers. Minister O'Regan's support for the work that we do and the researchers who attend, propels us to continue to work together to advance health research that supports our military, Veterans and their families."
Dr. Stéphanie Bélanger, Co-Scientific Director, CIMVHR

Quick Facts

• CIMVHR is the official research partner of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017.
• CIMVHR is an innovative organization that engages existing academic research resources and facilitates the development of new research, research capacity and effective knowledge translation.
• With a network of academic researchers from across Canada, CIMVHR serves as a focal point for 43 Canadian universities who have agreed to work together in addressing the health research requirements of the Canadian military, Veterans and their families. It serves all Canadian stakeholders interested in military and Veteran health research and acts as a conduit between the academic community, government organizations such as Department of National Defence (DND), Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), Health Canada, industry and similar international organizations.
• VAC has partnered with the CIMHVR since its inception in 2010. VAC Research Directorate provides ongoing in-kind support through steering committee participation, planning assistance and contributing to the annual Forum. VAC's ongoing involvement is critical to ensure the Department's research needs are factored into the Institute's work and direction.
• Through a contract between the Government of Canada and CIMVHR, VAC is partnering with a number of academic researchers on studies relating to the health of Veterans and their families.

SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada