Despite older age and more potentially dangerous comorbidities, veterans receiving VA care fared better last year than those treated in community healthcare systems during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study.
VHA Continues to Provide Too Many Low-Value Prostate Cancer Screening
Low-value healthcare is defined as practices or procedures without clear benefit or where potential harm outweighs the benefit. Deciding what is and isn’t low-value care can be especially difficult when it comes to cancer screenings; increasing age, greater illness burden or lower life expectancy—all weigh on decision-making.
VA Care Patterns Shifted Dramatically Because of Pandemic, Mission Act
Like other healthcare systems, the VHA has faced unprecedented challenges in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. A new study provides a broad look at how VA care patterns have shifted since the start of the pandemic.
Nearly All VA Employees Comply with Federal COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements
Nearly all, 98%, of VA employees facing a COVID-19 vaccination requirement have had at least one dose of vaccine or have requested an exception or extension, according to White House data released just before Thanksgiving.
Committee Hearing: DoD/VA Transition Program for Women Not Enough
In recent years, both VA and DoD have worked to create transition services designed specifically for women servicemembers with the goal of providing information about VA care and closing the gap between when a servicemember is discharged and when they enroll for VA healthcare and benefits.
How Solar Activity Impacts Blood Pressure in Older Adults
Hypertension is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.
Cytomegalovirus Linked to Airflow Limitation in Smokers
A common herpesvirus infection, cytomegalovirus can have a wide range of symptoms, from no symptoms to fever and fatigue to severe symptoms involving the eyes, brain or other internal organs. It is spread through sexual and nonsexual contact with body secretions.
What Causes Sleep Apnea in Injured Servicemembers?
Even though military servicemembers have few traditional risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea, the condition is prevalent in that cohort.
Early Reduced Airflow Can Predict Later COPD Diagnosis
Can identification of early airflow abnormalities predict future clinically important respiratory-related outcomes, including development of COPD?
Stimulants, Drug Mixes Play Increasing Role in Fatal Overdoses
Fatal drug overdoses have surpassed automobile accidents in recent years as the leading cause of accidental death and, despite efforts to reverse that trend, the number of overdoses is rising.
Sleep, Mental Health Surveys Useful for Seizure Patients
How useful are mental health and sleep screening questionnaires for patients admitted to a seizure monitoring unit?
Housing Insecure Veterans Much More Likely to Have Dementia
Veterans who are at risk of being homeless have significant greater risk of having Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias compared to other veterans.
Predicting MS Development After Optic Neuritis in Military
A new military study looked at how accurately a type of eye inflammation predicts later multiple sclerosis development.
Fresh Whole Blood Transfusion Improves Outcomes in Military Settings
For much of the history of modern medicine, whole blood was the best—and only—option for patients needing transfusion after surgery or major trauma.
Invasive Fungal Infection Remains a Serious Risk in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Invasive fungal disease (IFD) is a highly morbid complication in patients with hematologic conditions including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), whose risk is increased due to both the disease itself and the treatments for it.
As Deadlines Neared, DoD Moves Toward Fully Vaccinating Active-Duty Troops
The DoD is moving steadily toward its goal of vaccinating all military personnel. By early November, 97% of the DoD’s active-duty force had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Chlorthalidone Therapy Improves BP Control in Advanced CKD Patients
For years, clinicians have noted that inadequate evidence was available to promote the use of thiazide diuretics to treat hypertension in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease.
Definition of Four SCLC Subtypes Hold Promise for Better Treatment
While small-cell lung cancer has traditionally been treated as a single entity with generally poor results, that might be changing.
Older Age, Insurance Status Often Linked to Refusal of SCLC Care
Even though fewer than 7% of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) survive five years after diagnosis, some patients continue to refuse treatment.
SCLC Survival Rates Better With Military Healthcare Than in General Community
Small-cell lung cancer patients receiving universal healthcare access, as in the U.S. military, had longer survival rates than similar patients in the U.S. general population, according to a new study.
When Is a Biopsy Appropriate to Diagnose, Rule Out Skin Cancer?
Skin malignancy has increased in prevalence over the last 15 years, but it is not clear how military personnel have been effective.
Skin Cancer Screening Rates Low for Veterans but Higher Than Usual
While it is well known that military veterans are at increased risk for skin cancer, what is less understood is how often they are screened for skin cancer.
Total Margin-Controlled Excision Best for Keratinocyte Carcinoma
The most common human malignancy is keratinocyte carcinoma (KC), which includes basal and squamous cell cancers.
Knowing MST Background Can Help Improve Care for Veterans
Military sexual trauma is on the increase, and more and more data is linking it to serious physical health problems.
Anxiety Sensitivity Linked to PTSD Among Women Who’ve Experienced MST
Anxiety isn’t just mental. It can also cause physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations, sweaty palms or shortness of breath. Anxiety sensitivity reflects the belief that those bodily sensations are harmful and dangerous.
When Is a Medication Changes Necessary in Veterans With Heart Failure?
Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays an important role in reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF) —one of the most common causes of hospitalization among veterans—particularly in those with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).
History of Self-Injury Linked to Higher Suicide Risk Among Veterans
The VA has put significant focus on reducing veteran suicide rates over the last decades. But what about those who hurt themselves while stopping short of taking their own lives?
Only About Half of ASCVD Patients Get Influenza Vaccines
Only about half of U.S. patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease receive annual influenza vaccine, and the rate is lower among Black and Hispanic patients than white ones.
VA Study Establishes Link Between Flu Infection, Acute Myocardial Infarction
Previous studies have established an association between laboratory-confirmed influenza infection (LCI) and hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
Kidney Injury Gauged in VA Influenza, COVID-19 Patients
COVID-19 is often compared to other respiratory viral illnesses, but few of those comparisons contrast the virus’ varying effect on kidney health and function.
