The governing council of the American Public Health Association passed a policy resolution statement on Nov. 18 that was written by Associate Professor Amy Hagopian and her students at the University of Washington School of Public Health. Hagopian, associate professor of Global Health and Health Services, teaches MPH students in the two-year Community-Oriented Public Health Practice program.

The resolution, "Removing Barriers to Mental Health Services for Veterans," recommends three things: 1) removing the requirement that veterans have either an honorable or general discharge to receive VA benefits; 2) reducing the long wait list for care, which is related to a shortage of health care providers, poor scheduling practices, and problems related to seamlessly transitioning from active-duty military care systems to the care system for veterans; and 3) removing social barriers to care-seeking behavior related to military culture.

The resolution will be posted on the APHA website.