Does differential access to care explain racial disparities in treatment and outcomes of rectal cancer? A new study from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences suggested that other factors are likely to be at play.
Pandemic Decreased Already Too Low Lung Cancer Screening Rates
A new study demonstrated how critically the COVID-19 pandemic affected lung cancer screening (LCS).
More Point-of-Care Testing in Military Could Help Curb STI Transmissions
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) affect an estimated 1 in 5 servicemembers, making early diagnosis and treatment important for controlling their spread among this high-risk population.
New Study Warns About Increased Antibiotic Resistance Against Third-Generation Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics in VA Facilities
VHA facilities across the United States have experienced a concerning rise in antibiotic resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics commonly used to treat the Enterobacterales bacterial species.
Indeterminate Liver Nodules Have a High but Variable Risk of HCC
For more than a decade, the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) has been used to standardize the interpretation and reporting of liver lesions in patients at high risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Homelessness Substantially Increases Risk of Death in Veterans With CKD
U.S. veterans with a history of homelessness had a much greater risk of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and death, according to a new study, underscoring the role of housing as a social determinant of health.
Judge Requires VA to Build More Housing for Homeless in West Los Angeles
Last month, a federal judge provided an overwhelming victory to veterans who filed a class-action lawsuit against VA that sought to force the department to build more housing for homeless veterans on its West Los Angeles Medical Center campus.
Faulty Cell Function in Gulf War Illness Likely Caused By Exposure to Hazardous Agents
Veterans suffering from Gulf War illness (GWI), also known as Gulf War Syndrome (GWS), have faulty cell function that is likely caused by intense exposure to hazardous biological and chemical agents during war service, according to a new study.
GLP-1 RAs Promising for Reducing Cirrhosis, Mortality in Liver Disease Patients
Treatment with glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) showed promise in lowering the incidence of cirrhosis and mortality in veterans with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and diabetes, as long as the drug was initiated early in the course of the disease.
Surveys: Better HCC Surveillance Seen as Key to Improved Survival Rates
PALO ALTO, CA — Recent surveys found important gaps in knowledge and perceived barriers to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance in cirrhosis patients in the United States, especially with primary care providers. Even though hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)...
Legislators: Efforts to Smoothly Transition Servicemembers to VA Falls Short
Legislators took DoD and VA to task for their failures to ensure that servicemembers, especially those in need of mental health services, receive a warm handoff from one department to the other upon discharge.
Early Dialysis Leads to Modest Gains in Life Expectancy, Less Home Time
Older adults with reduced kidney function who start dialysis within 30 days and aren’t referred for transplant have modest gains in life expectancy and less time at home, according to a recent study.
Congress Passed a $3 Billion Emergency Funding Bill to Help VA’s Budget Shortfall
Congress passed an emergency funding bill providing an additional $3 billion to VA to address an unexpected shortfall in the FY2024 budget for the Veterans Benefits Administration.
Understanding Bispecific Antibodies for B-Cell Lymphoma Treatment
Bispecific antibodies represent a new approach to cancer immunotherapy that offers a two-for-one mechanism of action to increase efficacy in treating several types of lymphoma and multiple myeloma and other hematologic malignancies.
Much-Touted ATLAS Telehealth Booths Went Mostly Unused in Rural Areas
A recent report is calling into question the effectiveness of VA’s ATLAS program, a pilot telehealth initiative that places telehealth booths at non-VA community spaces in rural areas where veterans are more likely not to have access to high-speed internet. Veterans can use the booths to conduct telehealth appointments with VA providers.
Cholesterol Medication Ezetimibe Promising for Lowering Alzheimer’s Disease Risk
The mechanism through which heart disease elevates the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD) has been investigated intensively.
What Is the Role of the X Chromosome in Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics?
The X chromosome makes up 5% of the human genome and carries a high proportion of genes expressed in the brain. Yet, it is a relatively unexplored as a potential source of genetic variation in AD, according to a new study.
How PTSD, Cognitive Decline Affect Veterans’ Alzheimer’s Disease Biomarkers
While post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) are independent risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia, the association of their interaction on AD biomarkers has not been clear.
Expert in Veteran Homelessness Helps VA Housing Programs Be More Effective
Few people understand the complexity of providing care to homeless veterans and those at risk for homelessness as well as Jack Tsai, PhD.
Breaking Barriers in Kidney Care: Cynthia Delgado’s Pioneering Efforts Lead to More Equitable Transplantation Practices at the VA
For more than two decades, the calculation of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) — a critical measure of kidney function — included race as a variable.
Black Americans Have Less Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness, Despite Higher Risk
Older Black Americans are almost twice as likely as white Americans to be affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias, with 21.3% of Black Americans aged 70 and older living with the disease.
Good ride, cowboy! Good ride!
Pam and I have had our share of hard knocks this summer. From the ongoing personal and financial trauma of our sailboat/home lightning strike to our latest bout of COVID-19, the hits just seem to keep on coming. I also (finally) finished a fictional novel, but was utterly unprepared for the hell that is getting published.
Traumatic Brain Injury Linked to Much Higher Risk of Arrhythmia in Veterans
Traumatic brain injury, especially involving penetration, significantly increased the risk for atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter in U.S. military servicemembers and veterans, according to a new study.
VA $1 Billion Behind in Collecting Insurance, Co-Pays With Software Tool Offline
VA is close to restarting a software tool integral to allowing the department to track its billing of community providers. The Program Integrity Tool (PIT) has been offline since flaws in the system were discovered in February 2023.
Equal, Equitable and Excellent: A Call to Action for Indigenous Care
Native Americans serve in the military at the highest rates per capita of any racial or ethnic group. According to the Office of Health Equity, analysis of fiscal year 2016 to 2019 data revealed that American Indian veterans, less than half were enrolled in VA care.
Military Service, Race Make Black Veterans More Likely To Have Metastatic Prostate Cancer
The issue of metastasis in prostate cancer can’t really be discussed without a startling fact: Black men are disproportionately affected by prostate cancer (PCa), with earlier presentation, more aggressive disease, and higher mortality rates vs. white men.
VA Continues Research on Radioligands to Optimize Treatment of mCRPC
The promising outcomes from studies of the radioligand lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan (Lu177-PSMA) as a second-line therapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) has encouraged researchers to explore its effectiveness when moved earlier in treatment and in combination with other cancer therapies.
Veterans’ Higher Risk of Metastatic Prostate Cancer Drives Continuous Treatment Updates at VA
The U.S. government and the VA increasingly recognize the increased risk of prostate cancer faced by veterans and its relationship to service in areas of conflict.
Consensus Statement, Real-World Experience Guide Lu177-PSMA Use
Since receiving Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2022 for use in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), adoption of lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan (Lu177-PSMA) has grown rapidly.
Treatment for mCRPC Undergoes Constant Reassessment, Improvement at VA
As the options for treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) continues to increase, determining the best order for sequencing them becomes more complicated.
