by LaTina Emerson
Gulf War and Iraq/Afghanistan veterans have significantly smaller brainstem volumes compared to healthy civilians, and damage to the brainstem structure of these veterans could potentially lead to sleep disturbances and chronic pain, according to a recent study.
by Chester Buckenmaier III, MD, COL (ret), MC, USA
Theresa Tam serves as Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer. Like many public health officials during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Tam was the focus of considerable criticism of her recommendations as the virus spread. Health officials worldwide tried to guide the public on responding to the virus based on few facts. At the time, the virus was new and barely understood. There was no vaccination and little science regarding the COVID-19 virus. Fortunately for all of us, much has improved regarding our understanding and treatment of COVID and other respiratory viruses.
by LaTina Emerson
Veterans who served in the Vietnam War era, either in theater or not deployed, are not at increased risk of suicide mortality compared with the U.S. population, although the number of suicides among these veterans is noteworthy and merits the attention of mental health professionals and policymakers, according to a recent study.
by U.S. Medicine
Clinician judgment, not patient characteristics, often is the deciding factor in which VA patients are screened for lung cancer, according to a new study.
by Stephen Spotswood
VA has long struggled to provide care to veterans in rural areas of the country. Veterans living there are frequently required to drive long distances to VA hospitals, and smaller VA clinics are not always available.