For Health Professionals
Medical Patriot Project
Are you a Patriot concerned about the care of our military and Veterans? Concerned about the health of those exposed to Department of Defense (DoD) contamination? We're paging all who believe "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" should be unalienable rights. We want YOU to become a Medical Patriot!
With the cuts to VA and the increasing moves toward privatizing more of Veterans care, it is essential that ALL public health and health professionals understand Veteran-specific care needs. Our Medical Patriot Project will educate health professionals and provide evidence-based tools and support to improve the quality of care for our military, Veterans and individuals impacted by the legacy of DoD contamination, including to PFAS.
​
For those healthcare professionals who become a Medical Patriot, you will receive a certificate, a pin, and recognition for your commitment to our military, Veterans and Defense communities that will be shared on social media and with the media. Your name will also appear on our website so folks realize your commitment to the care of those who served this country and all impacted by DoD contamination! We invite you to learn more and become a Medical Patriot today!
PFAS Prevention Medical Champion
Since 1999, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has measured PFAS in the blood of over 97% of Americans.1 NHANES sampling found high levels of two legacy PFAS, PFOA and PFOS which were recently classified by the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as known (Group 1) and possibly carcinogenic (Group 2B) to humans, respectively.2 Further, clinical guidance published by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) recommends offering PFAS blood testing to heavily exposed individuals in certain circumstances.3 The guidance also recognizes certain health effects as associated with PFAS exposure that would merit deviations from the usual pediatric and adult standards of care for heavily PFAS-exposed patients, including cancer screenings.3 ​
Despite the relevance of PFAS-related care to millions of Americans, clinician screening for and knowledge of potential health consequences from PFAS exposure remains poor. This is why we are working with leading scientists at PFAS-REACH to help educate the medical community, and to assist clinicians in providing evidence-based care for their patients heavily exposed to PFAS.4 The PFAS Exchange has a number of clinician resources that we will help you to understand.5 We can also provide individualized and tailored educational solutions to assist your practice and best meet your patients' needs. As an added incentive, we want to recognize all those committed to providing evidence-based care for those impacted by PFAS exposures as PFAS Prevention Medical Champions! Learn more about our services and get recognized today!
Request PPE or DIY Substitutes
Cape Fear OSMS (Open Source Medical Supplies) has provided over 40,000 items of PPE to folks in need. We can provide medical grade face shields on a buy one get one basis at low cost for healthcare organizations and other frontline workers. We can also provide ear savers, shields, hand sewn fabric masks and other DIY medical substitutes at no cost for your patients, essential workers, or healthcare workers who are in need.
Veterans Care and Resources
The VA offers exposure education and has a useful application to better understand military service-related toxic exposures and how they may impact your Veteran patients’ health.
Environmental Health Guidance
More resources including continuing medical education will be shared soon. For those concerned about PFAS like Gen X, we recommend reviewing the NASEM clinical guidance for PFAS and the resources provided on the PFAS Exchange.
NASEM PFAS Clinical Guidance
PFAS Exchange Clinician Resources
1. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Fast Facts: PFAS in the U.S. Population. Retreived February 19, 2025. Available at: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/data-research/facts-stats/index.html
2. WHO International Agency for Rsearch on Cancer (IARC). IARC Monographs evaluate the carcinogenicity of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). December 1, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2025. Available at: https://www.iarc.who.int/news-events/iarc-monographs-evaluate-the-carcinogenicity-of-perfluorooctanoic-acid-pfoa-and-perfluorooctanesulfonic-acid-pfos/
3. National Academies of Science Engineering and Medicine (NASEM). Guidance on PFAS Exposure, Testing, and Clinical Follow-Up. 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2024. Available at: https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/26156/guidance-on-pfas-exposure-testing-and-clinical-follow-up
4. Silent Spring Institute. PFAS-REACH funded through NIEHS. Retrieved February 19, 2024. Available at: https://silentspring.org/project/pfas-reach
5. PFAS Exchange. Resources for Clinicians. Retrieved February 19, 2024. Available at: https://pfas-exchange.org/resources/resources-for-clinicians/