For the first time in more than 50 years, the VA will fund a study on psychedelic-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol-use disorder among veterans.
VA Argues That Extra $6.6 Billion Still Needed; Inflation Driving Up Costs of Drugs, Prosthetics
At a public examination of VA’s ongoing budget crisis, Republican legislators accused agency leaders of general incompetence and of using the budget as political leverage during an election season.
Melatonin Appears to Have Some Effect Enhancing Flu Vaccine
Noting that vaccine immunogenicity is affected by a variety of factors, melatonin has been reported to affect immune responses to vaccines and infection, according to a new study.
Past COVID-19 Infection Increases Frailty in Older Veterans
COVID-19 survivors appear to be at greater risk for new medical conditions. A new study sought to determine if previous infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus is associated with a change in frailty among older U.S. veterans.
Older White Veterans Most Likely to Get Flu Vaccines
How do race, ethnicity, sex and rurality affect influenza vaccination adherence in a VHA cohort?
‘Prescription Rules’ Could Lengthen Survival in mCRPC
If detected and treated at an early stage, prostate cancer is often curable. That is not the case, however, with an advanced stage such as metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), which has a high risk of mortality.
How General Obesity Affects Prostate Cancer
How does general obesity affect prostate cancer? Thus far, inconsistent evidence has been found for the association between general obesity and prostate cancer among men in the United States.
No Problems Found With Concurrent Spironolactone, Abiraterone Administration
The most common cancer in men in the United States, prostate cancer has low survival rates once metastasized.
What Happened When VA Formulary Transitioned to Different Inhalers?
The VA’s experience provided valuable information on what is likely to occur when a formulary changes for environmental reasons, according to a new report.
Technology-Based Eye Care Services Offer Quality, Comprehensive Care to Veterans Nationwide
Veteran patients nationwide who received care from Technology-based Eye Care Services (TECS), a tele-ophthalmology program operating in the VHA, reported having a favorable experience.
Inclusive Genetic Tools Needed to Evaluate Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Risk
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the most common type of glaucoma, develops gradually and is often asymptomatic in its early stages.
VA/DoD Guideline Update Reflects Newest Therapies for Headaches
Expanded recommendations for treatment, preventive therapies and nonpharmacologic therapies are among noteworthy changes in the recently updated VA and Department of Defense (DoD) Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Headache.
As-Needed Blood Pressure Medication Linked to Adverse Outcomes in VA Hospitals
In hospitalized veterans, use of at least one as-needed blood pressure medication was associated with higher risk of acute kidney injury and rapid drop in blood pressure, as well as increased risk of stroke, heart attack or death, according to a recent study.
VA’s Landmark Study Shifted Paradigm for Managing Diabetes
MEMPHIS, TN — As part of our ongoing series highlighting milestones in federal medicine as part of the 60th anniversary of U.S. Medicine, we spoke with William Cushman, MD, medical director, Department of Preventive Medicine, and professor of Preventive Medicine,...
VA Accused of Not Keeping Up with a More Active Amputee Patient Population
While VA has long considered itself a provider of world-class prosthetics care, younger veterans are reporting that the department has yet to adapt to a more active patient population.
Prediction of Patient Outcomes After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Serum cytokines, neuronal proteins and clinical data can be used to predict vasospasm and early mortality in patients with severe traumatic brain injury, according to a recent study.
VARA Registry Seeks to Improve the Lives of Veterans With Rheumatoid Arthritis
New findings concerning the risk of interstitial lung disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and how body composition and metabolic dysregulation are tied to RA and inflammation were among the highlights of research presented at the 20th Annual Fall Meeting of the VA Rheumatoid Arthritis (VARA) Registry held in September.
Higher CVD Events in Older Adults Undergoing Chemotherapy, With Certain Cancers
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a greater risk for cancer survivors because of either their malignancy or its treatment.
Sexual Orientation Affects Prevalence of Atherosclerotic CVD in Veterans
Sexual orientation appears to have some unexplained effect on cardiovascular health, according to a new study.
Higher Psychosocial Well-Being at Time of Trauma Reduces PTSD Risk
Victims of traumatic events with higher well-being in three areas—vocational well-being, financial well-being and social well-being—are less likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a recent study.
VA Overtreats Prostate Cancer in Veterans with Limited Life Expectancy
Overtreatment, especially with radiotherapy, has increased for veterans with limited life expectancy and intermediate-risk or high-risk prostate cancer, according to a new study.
Hearing Loss Linked to Parkinson’s Disease; Hearing Aids Help Offset Risk
A complex and progressive neurological disorder, Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been diagnosed in more than a million Americans and disproportionately impacts veterans.
Understanding the Underuse of Mental Healthcare by U.S. Servicemembers
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are common mental health conditions among U.S. servicemembers, yet only a fraction of those affected pursue mental healthcare services. An even smaller proportion receive adequate levels of care.
Veterans With HIV Tended to Have CVD Events Earlier Than Those Without
HIV patients have an increased atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability, making them more susceptible to severe cardiovascular complications, according to previous research.
Use of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Too Low in Women Veterans
HIV remains a persistent health concern in the United States, with more than 36,000 new diagnoses in 2021, according to a new study noting that HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is recommended for those at increased risk for infection.
Schizophrenia, Antipsychotics Raised Dementia Risks in Veterans With HIV
A new study raised alarms about the association between dementia risks in HIV patients with schizophrenia and the use of off-label antipsychotics.
Military Health System Multiple Myeloma Patients Survive Longer
Military Health System (MHS) beneficiaries with multiple myeloma have longer 5- and 10-year survival rates compared to multiple myeloma patients from the U.S. general population, according to a recent study.
Veterans Study Found Positive Sotorasib Results Similar to CodeBreak Trials
Three years ago, based on the CodeBreak100 trial, the Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to the KRAS G12C inhibitor sotorasib for treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer in the second line or later.
Limited Information on Breast Cancer Risk After Military Exposures
A long list of health effects have been attributed to military environmental exposures (MEE) such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), tactile herbicides, airborne hazards and open burn pits (AHOBP) and depleted uranium.
House Coronavirus Committee Held Its Last Meeting in November
Next month marks the 5-year anniversary of the first case of COVID-19 reported in the United States. Since then, more than 110 million Americans have been infected, and 1.2 million have died.
