Plasma cell dyscrasia affects up to 5% of adults. While often asymptomatic, its characteristic clonal expansion of bone marrow plasma cells can also indicate the presence of several hematological malignancies including multiple myeloma.
GLP-1 Use Reduces Risk of MGUS Progression in Some Veterans
Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have gained huge popularity as they have demonstrated the ability to substantially reduce both blood-glucose levels and weight. In addition, recent research suggests cardiovascular and renal benefits to their use in certain populations.
Agent Orange Increases CVD Risk in Veterans With Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
As Vietnam-era veterans move into the age range in which most myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) develop, the VA has a keen interest in fully understanding the full impact of exposure to Agent Orange in veterans with these malignancies.
McDonough: VA Can Only Be So Competitive in Physician Salaries
For many high-demand medical professions, VA will likely never be able to fully compete with the private sector, regardless of the breadth of benefits the department can offer, according to VA Secretary Denis McDonough.
Million Veteran Program Study Pinpoints Concerns About Cannabis-Use Disorder
A study using data from the VA’s Million Veteran Program raised serious concerns about risks associated with cannabis use.
New Strategic Lab Director Fosters Disruptive Technologies, Seeks Growth
As the executive director of VA’s brand-new Strategic Initiatives Lab (Strat Lab), it is the mission of Anne Lord Bailey, PharmD, BCPS, to encourage VA to play the long shots.
Problems Persist for Servicemembers Transitioning to VA Services
When the required transition classes prior to discharge from the military are delayed, servicemembers might not be aware enough about VA healthcare and benefits. That can affect their ability to undertake a smooth transition to civilian life.
Not Just a Bulging Belly: DRA Causes Problems for Military Women
Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is a common condition in pregnant and postpartum women, occurring when the rectus abdominis muscles, commonly called the six-pack ab muscles, separate from being stretched.
Concerns Raised About ‘Buggy’ Website; VA’s Dependence on It
VA’s main website, va.gov, and several of its support systems have been the victim of bugs that have caused tens of thousands of VA benefits claims to go unprocessed.
Army Names Kenney and Petty Best Medics for 2023
Anyone with a 68W military occupation specialty signs up to go above and beyond the call of duty as a matter of course. As combat medic specialists, they provide life-saving treatment in the chaos and trauma of battle and accept responsibility for the health and well-being of their fellow soldiers on base.
VA Has Good Record Hiring Some Minorities, but Few End Up in Top Management
Over the last decade, VA has increased the percentage of employees who are non-white, but those employees are more likely to be paid less, be fired more and receive fewer raises and awards, as well as, less vacation time, according to a new report.
Five Facilities Where New Cerner EHR Is Live Face Continuing Issues
As VA approaches the 3-year anniversary of the Cerner electronic health record system going live at its first site, the roll-out remains on indefinite hold as the department endeavors to fix problems at the five facilities where the system is active.
Uterine Cancer Mortality Increased Sharply in Some Groups
Since the beginning of the 21st century, uterine cancer mortality has increased, especially among Black and Hispanic women, according to a new study.
Daily Naltrexone Use Doesn’t Negatively Affect Performance in Soldiers
Daily use of naltrexone, a medication that blocks the effects of opioids with minimal side effects, doesn’t adversely affect the physical, cognitive or marksmanship performance of U.S. Army soldiers, according to a recent study.
Liver Cancer Risk Low for Veterans Who Clear HCV Without Treatment
The risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer, is low for veterans who spontaneously clear hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
Heat-Related Illness Among Veterans Showing Nationwide Rise
Environmental heat can adversely affect health, resulting in heightened healthcare demands, disability and even mortality. The combination of particular medical conditions with the ongoing global temperature increase may exacerbate susceptibility to heat-related ailments.
Deportation Increases Risk of Poor Health for Noncitizen U.S. Veterans
For noncitizen U.S. military servicemembers, deportation can increase the risk of poor physical and mental health outcomes, making this group a vulnerable and often overlooked health disparity population, according to a recent study.
Concern Is Growing About Sharp Increase in Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Veteran Suicide Rates
Growing suicide rates among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) veterans are of increasing concern, according to a new study.
Army Files Charges Against Anesthesiologist, Alleges Inappropriate Sexual Conduct
Sexual-assault charges have been filed by the Army against Maj. Michael Stockin, MD, an anesthesiologist stationed at the pain clinic at Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s Madigan Army Medical Center.
With Influx of Patients, VA Loses Ground in Filling Key Healthcare Positions
Despite a recent hiring surge, VA has been losing ground in filling key healthcare positions, with the number of severe shortages rising from this time last year.
VA Expands Program Caring for Pregnant Veterans, New Mothers
As of this month, mothers treated by the VA healthcare system pre- and post-partum have access to maternity care coordinators from the beginning of their pregnancy to 12 months after birth. That is a change from the previous end-date of 8 weeks post-partum.
New Journal Article Decries Lack of Recognition for Military Medicine;
A new Special Communication in JAMA Network Open decried that military medicine’s contribution to healthcare advances often are overlooked and that not enough communication occurs between civilian and military clinicians.
Sarah Krein Researches Whatever Is Necessary to Improve Veterans’ Care
Most VA researchers begin their research career because of a fascination with a certain clinical subject–a niche area usually discovered early in their studies that starts them off on a long, relatively straight, journey. Not for Sarah Krein, PhD, RN, who is interested in many subjects but none so deeply as the methodology of research itself.
Thrombosis Risk With Cancer Treatment Varies With VA Patient Characteristics
PORTLAND, OR -- Has cancer-directed therapy changed patterns of the incidence and risk of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) at the VA? That was the question raised in a cohort study of 434,203 veterans with solid tumors and hematologic neoplasms within the VHA....
Significant U.S. Military Response to Catastrophic Lahaina Wildfires in Hawaii
Devastating wildfires have been burning in Western Maui since the evening of Aug. 8, with Lahaina—the original capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom—being the area most affected on the island.
Legislators Raise Concerns About VA Roll Out of New Acquisition System
VA is slowly rolling out its Integrated Financial and Acquisition Management System (iFAMS), which seeks to replace a 40-year-old legacy system and shore up a material weakness that leaves the department unable to accurately track billions in expenditures.
American Indian/Alaska Native Veterans Had Less Access to Mental Telehealthcare
The American Indian/Alaskan Native population has traditionally experienced more serious health issues and barriers to healthcare compared to those of other races or ethnicities.
Recent Lawsuits Challenge In Vitro Fertilization Policies at VA, DoD
A lawsuit filed recently in federal court in Manhattan challenges the eligibility policies of DoD and VA for who can receive in vitro fertilization (IVF) care, calling them discriminatory.
Significant Increase in Celiac Disease Found in Military Population
The incidence and prevalence of celiac disease increased significantly in the U.S.
Performance of Outsourced VA Disability Exams Continues to Raise Questions
Congress first granted VA the authority to contract veterans’ medical disability examinations (MDEs) out to non-VA medical staff in 1996. The goal of that original pilot program was to see whether doing so would speed up the exam process and get veterans their benefits sooner.