Kaiser Permanente Northwest

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News Release

INTERVIEWS: Veterans Health Concerns After Military Service - 11/02/26

PORTLAND, Ore. (October 23, 2026) ~ Veterans can face specific health risks long after their military service ends, including mental health challenges, chronic conditions and illnesses associated with toxic exposures. This Veterans Day, Kaiser Permanente Northwest is encouraging veterans and their families to understand those risks and how their time in the military can affect their health for years to come.

For many veterans, health issues related to their time in the military can surface years after they return to civilian life. Experiences during deployment, exposure to environmental hazards and the physical and emotional demands of service can affect long-term well-being. That makes it especially important for veterans to seek care from providers who understand their unique health needs, know what questions to ask, and can recognize potential issues related to their time in the military.

"Military service can affect a person's health long after they leave the uniform behind," said Dr. Luis Otero, an Air Force veteran and medical director of Veterans Affairs at Kaiser Permanente Northwest. "From toxic exposures and chronic conditions to mental health challenges, veterans often face risks that deserve additional attention in a health care setting. When clinicians understand a patient's military background, they can provide more personalized care and build the trust that is so important to good health."

Kaiser Permanente is taking steps to better recognize and address veterans' needs, including helping clinicians understand military culture and service-related health concerns. Its integrated care model can also provide a sense of familiarity for veterans who are used to having their doctors, specialists and other health services working together through the military health system.

Interviews available:
Dr. Luis Otero, Air Force veteran and Medical Director of Veterans Affairs at Kaiser Permanente Northwest, is available for interviews via Zoom on Tuesday, November 3 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Contact Karen Vitt to schedule. (NOTE: We are offering interviews with Dr. Otero this week because he is out of town next week - hopefully you can tape your Veterans Day interviews early!)

Dr. Otero is available to discuss:

  • The physical and mental health challenges veterans may face after military service
  • Long-term health effects of toxic exposures
  • Health issues that may not emerge until years after service
  • What veterans and their families should know to help protect their long-term health

About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.9 million members in 9 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.

INTERVIEWS: Veterans Health Concerns After Military Service - 11/02/26

PORTLAND, Ore. (October 23, 2026) ~ Veterans can face specific health risks long after their military service ends, including mental health challenges, chronic conditions and illnesses associated with toxic exposures. This Veterans Day, Kaiser Permanente Northwest is encouraging veterans and their families to understand those risks and how their time in the military can affect their health for years to come.

For many veterans, health issues related to their time in the military can surface years after they return to civilian life. Experiences during deployment, exposure to environmental hazards and the physical and emotional demands of service can affect long-term well-being. That makes it especially important for veterans to seek care from providers who understand their unique health needs, know what questions to ask, and can recognize potential issues related to their time in the military.

"Military service can affect a person's health long after they leave the uniform behind," said Dr. Luis Otero, an Air Force veteran and medical director of Veterans Affairs at Kaiser Permanente Northwest. "From toxic exposures and chronic conditions to mental health challenges, veterans often face risks that deserve additional attention in a health care setting. When clinicians understand a patient's military background, they can provide more personalized care and build the trust that is so important to good health."

Kaiser Permanente is taking steps to better recognize and address veterans' needs, including helping clinicians understand military culture and service-related health concerns. Its integrated care model can also provide a sense of familiarity for veterans who are used to having their doctors, specialists and other health services working together through the military health system.

Interviews available:
Dr. Luis Otero, Air Force veteran and Medical Director of Veterans Affairs at Kaiser Permanente Northwest, is available for interviews via Zoom on Tuesday, November 3 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Contact Karen Vitt to schedule. (NOTE: We are offering interviews with Dr. Otero this week because he is out of town next week - hopefully you can tape your Veterans Day interviews early!)

Dr. Otero is available to discuss:

  • The physical and mental health challenges veterans may face after military service
  • Long-term health effects of toxic exposures
  • Health issues that may not emerge until years after service
  • What veterans and their families should know to help protect their long-term health

About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.9 million members in 9 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.