The VALCAN-O score, which uses a data set from the VHA, was developed for patients diagnosed with resectable early-stage nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Novel Treatments Drive Down Lung Cancer Death Rates
The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST), which began at the beginning of the 21st century, compared two ways of detecting lung cancer: low-dose helical computed tomography (CT)—often referred to as spiral CT—and standard chest X-ray.
Identified: Genes Associated With Risk of Suicidal Thoughts in Veterans
Multiple genes linked to an increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in U.S. military veterans have been identified, according to a new study.
VHA Wait Times Increased Most for Blacks, Hispanics During Early Pandemic
Black and Hispanic veterans appeared to experience more barriers to accessing care than white veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study finding that wait time disparities increased significantly from the pre–COVID-19 period.
A Baby Is a Wishing Well. Everyone Puts Their Hopes, Their Fears, Their Pasts, Their 2 cents In.
I recognize that this column tends to dwell on the many negative aspects of the federal healthcare system, our democracy and the general human condition on this planet. We are a species both fascinated and driven by conflict. I have elected to change tact for February and focus on something entirely positive that has occurred in my family.
With More Than 250,000 Alzheimer’s Patients, VA Is a Market for New Drug
Now that the Food and Drug Administration has granted Fast Track approval for the new Alzheimer’s disease medication Leqembi, the issue of who will pay for it looms large.
VA Faces Challenges in Diagnosing, Caring for Long COVID
In the early days and months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the VA and other healthcare systems were focused on the daunting work of helping patients survive the acute effects of the disease.
Legislators Question Whether VA Can Handle PACT Act Claims Onslaught
With the PACT Act set to officially go into effect this month, legislators are watching VA closely to see how the department deals with the hundreds of thousands of expected new claims.
Group Focuses on Telehealth Fraud at VA, DoD, Other Federal Agencies
While the pandemic has resulted in an explosion in the use of telehealth among federal health agencies, it also has created opportunities for fraud and waste, according to a recent joint report from six Offices of the Inspector General (OIGs).
New Defense Act Ends COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Servicemembers
Before year’s end, Congress passed the $858 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2023, the largest defense spending bill of its kind.
Racial Differences in Prostate Cancer Treatment
How does Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) after treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) differ for patients of different races?
Sexual Issues Common for Partners of PCa Patients
While it is well understood that prostate cancer (PCa) and its treatment can have significant and pervasive sexual side effects for the male patients, less attention has been paid to their partners.
Genetic Scores Might Help Determine Prostate Cancer Risk
Can genetic scores provide an objective measure of prostate cancer risk and aid screening decisions?
Vaccinations Can Help Prevent Flu, COVID-19 Co-Infection
While co-infection with more than one respiratory virus was especially a problem this fall and winter, it has happened before, especially in an environment where SARS-CoV-2 is circulating.
VHA Data Supports Routine Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccination in Older Adults
As part of the continual evolution of pneumococcal vaccination recommendations, guidelines recently have been updated to urge more use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in older adults.
Study Examines Reasons for Vaccine Hesitancy in Patients With IBD
Even after years of the COVID-19 pandemic, data remains somewhat limited on the safety profile of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in patients taking immunosuppressive medications.
MGUS-MM Progression Differs Between African Americans, Caucasians
While it is widely known that African Americans (AA) are at higher risk for multiple myeloma (MM), precisely what factors create the disparity are not well understood.
Walter Reed, NIAID Scientists Help Develop Monoclonal Antibodies That Might Block Epstein-Barr Virus Infection; EBV Linked to MS Development
Scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) have developed a panel of investigational monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that target two key proteins—gH and gL—on the surface of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
COVID-19 Reinfection Adds Significant Risk to Multiple Organ Systems
Despite misconceptions that prior COVID-19 infections can keep patients from having severe cases in the future, a new study suggests that recurrent cases pile on the risk of adverse health conditions in multiple organ systems.
Head and Neck Cancer Driven by HPV Has Distinct Genetic, Immune Variants
Most new diagnoses of oropharyngeal cancer, a type of head and neck cancer, are driven by human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, with distinct genetic and immune differences in HPV-driven and non-HPV-driven head and neck cancer, according to a new study.
Pandemic Brought About Significant Changes in Orthopedic Injuries
Much of the focus during the COVID-19 pandemic has been on the infection itself, as well as persistent symptoms. But many other aspects of healthcare underwent changes of SARS-CoV-2 and the efforts to combat it.
Similar Cardiovascular Outcomes Found in Veterans Treated With Two Common Blood Pressure Medications — Chlorthalidone and Hydrochlorothiazide
In “surprising” results, two common diuretics used to control blood pressure, chlorthalidone and hydrochlorothiazide, had no differences in outcomes for cardiovascular events, including death, in veteran patients, according to a new study.
Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.
As we enter a new year, like many Americans, I am hopeful that the world’s challenges of the last few years will ease. I am somewhat confident that 2023 will bring improvement to the general human condition, since the first three years of this decade represent such a low bar upon which to improve. It is indeed hard to be optimistic in the face of growing consequences of global warming, threats to our constitutional democracy, Russia’s war of aggression, disruptions in world supply chains, ongoing COVID-19 pandemic concerns and world economic instability, among many other adverse events. We must remain hopeful.
Man Who Stalked Female VA Physicians in California Called ‘Menace’ by Judge
A federal judge called a man “a menace to society” —the first time he said he has done that —while sentencing him to 18 years in federal prison for stalking four female physicians who worked for the VA.
VA Catching Up on Rescheduling Appointments Canceled Early in the Pandemic
VA is slowly catching up on the appointments that were canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down many nonessential services at VA hospitals.
Factors Linked to Severe COVID-19 Among Vaccinated, Hospitalized Veterans
Although vaccination and boosting remain the best defense against COVID-19, breakthrough infections among those vaccinated and boosted are exceedingly common.
Large VA Study Finds Lower Prostate Cancer Screening Rates Associated With Subsequent Increases in Metastatic Cancer
Aside from skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among male veterans. When diagnosed at an early stage, prostate cancer is highly curable.
VHA Mental Health Staffing Levels Affect Suicide-Related Events in Veterans
VHA facilities appear to have limited staff who can provide mental health care services, and increasing mental health staffing could reduce suicide-related events in veterans, according to a new study.
TRICARE Prescription Drug Network Changes Ignite a Controversy
The removal of about 15,000 independent pharmacies from the TRICARE network has created an uproar.
Polypharmacy Associated With Worse Outcomes in Veterans With HIV
The good news, according to a recent study, is that medical intensive care unit (MICU) admissions have been declining in people with HIV infection (PWH).
