Longer is better when it comes to adjuvant treatment with tamoxifen for women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer

WASHINGTON — If Navy leadership has anything to do with it, the misleading stereotype of the drunken sailor or hard-drinking Marine will fade into the past.

WASHINGTON — When it comes to hospital stays, longer is not necessarily better in reducing 30-day readmission rates.  That’s according to a review of records for the more than 4 million patients hospitalized at 129 acute care VA hospitals from 1997 to 2010.

WASHINGTON — A controversial new law expands the circumstances when DoD funds can be used to pay for abortions to include cases of rape or incest.

Please read this article and participate in this month's U.S. Medicine readership poll: Should DoD be required to pay for abortions in cases of rape and incest as well as danger to the life of the mother?

BETHESDA, MD — Despite concerns about unhealthy lifestyles and rising obesity among recruits, the U.S. military might be in better shape than ever, as measured by cardiovascular disease markers.

WASHINGTON — Veterans’ groups are applauding a new law creating an Open Burn Pit Registry, which was passed by Congress over the VA’s objections.

SAN DIEGO — Trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) and live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) were similarly effective in preventing influenza, influenza-like illness and pneumonia in active duty U.S. servicemembers, according to a new study.

Flu Immunization Milestone Reached Ahead of Schedule
FALLS CHURCH, VA — An unusually early start to the influenza season propelled the DoD to reach its milestone of 90% vaccination of all uniformed personnel and required civilians two weeks ahead of schedule.

Water Supply Investigated
PITTSBURGH - An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at a VA hospital in Pittsburgh has led to at least one death and sent hospital administration searching for the source of the contamination.

Most Vets Now Settle in Only a Few States
BELLINGHAM, WA — Changing demographics for veterans in United States, with most now settling in the South and the Southwest, often in rural areas, has potentially profound implications for how and where VA offers services.