b'INTRODUCTIONThe COVID-19 Emergency Ends;Federal Medicine AdaptsBy Brenda L. MooneyTheWhiteHouseannouncedthisveterans who were exposed to toxic substances during monththattheCOVID-19Publicmilitary service. Articles discuss how that has made a Health Emergency (PHE) has endeddifference in the care of everything from blood cancer and that the United States is wellto lung disorders. preparedtomanagetherisksofFortunately, new drugs and treatment combinations COVID-19 going forward.are constantly improving survival rates, even for older Who could have imagined that inpatients. The 60 and older cohort also is the benefi-2020, when we all believed or at least hopedthatciary of a new vaccine to protect against severe respi-the initial 14-day lockdown would defeat the virus?ratory syncytial virus (RSV) and of new research that Or in 2021 and 2022 when it seemed as if the pan- helpsallayconcernsaboutunintendedweightloss demic would never end? with new diabetes drugs.Now, federal medicine continues to grapple with theAnother persistent apprehension related to veterans aftermath of the pandemic, while also returning toand active-duty servicemembers is how mental health some version of normal operations. issues affect their physical health and risk of suicide. Withoutquestion,widespreadinfectionwiththeArticles put the spotlight on schizophrenia and bipo-SARS-CoV-2 virus and precautions enacted to protectlar disorders, as well as other mental health issues. against it will have far-reaching influences on howThe DoD is concerned about force readiness, which care is delivered. This years Compendium of Federalalso is affected by sleep disorders. Medicine includes articles describing those trendsWhatmakescoverageintheCompendiumof whether it is good news related to the expansion ofFederal Medicine different is the understanding that telehealth services at the VA or bad news about thethe patient populations served by the VHA and MHS pervasiveness of Long Covid, post-infection symp- have unique characteristics and needs. A good exam-toms that appear to be especially common in olderple is the article on the rise of all types of liver cancer; adults who survived an acute infection. our writers take it a step farther to demonstrate how At the same time, however, some of the concernsveterans are at especially high risk.temporarily overshadowed by a global pandemic areDeep understanding of their patients and their spe-again being fully addressed and make up a substan- cial needs is one of the reasons that the VHA and tial portion of our 2023 publication. The passage ofMHS offer such high-quality care. For more on that the Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022 promises to sig- theme, be sure to read the articles on the care of pres-nificantly improve healthcare access and funding forsure injuries, commonly known as bedsores.Brenda L. Mooney Kristin Mendola Annette M. Boyle Editorial Director Vice President, Sales Chief Medical [email protected] [email protected] Stephen SpotswoodJames F. Breuning 203-761-0202 Washington CorrespondentPublisher CranCentral [email protected] Art and Production Eden Jackson Landow 609-397-5522 [email protected] Copy Editor609-397-15386'