The Military Health System (MHS) is often cited as a model for reducing healthcare disparities because every beneficiary is covered by the same insurance.
COVID-19 Vaccine Shows Significant Protection Against MACE in Veterans 75 or Older
Past research has demonstrated that receipt of vaccines was associated with reduced COVID-19–associated cardiovascular risk. A new study took that a step further, finding evidence of vaccine effectiveness against the broader outcome—all-cause major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), suggesting that “likely reflects the hidden burden of undetected SARS-CoV-2 and associated complications that are amenable to reduction by COVID-19 vaccination.”
Female Veterans Faced Sharper Declines in Well-Being From COVID-19 Pandemic
Female post-9/11 veterans took an especially hard hit to their well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, faring worse than their male counterparts, according to a new study.
COVID-19 Infection Linked to Metabolic Disease Risk in U.S. Active-Duty Military, Study Finds
In U.S. active-duty servicemembers, COVID-19 infection was associated with significantly increased risk of developing hypertension, hyperlipidemia and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, according to a recent study.
What Are the Key Drivers of Increased Cases of Post-COVID-19 Dysautonomia in Active-Duty Servicemembers?
Because a significant proportion of patients presenting with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) have met diagnostic criteria for certain disorders of the autonomic nervous system, a study team set out to evaluate demographic and medical factors associated with PASC dysautonomia in active-duty U.S. servicemembers (ADSM).
Potential Chemoprophylactic Agents for COVID-19 Outbreaks in CLCs
Noting that chemoprophylaxis to mitigate the severity of COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes is not yet available, researchers have assessed the feasibility of remdesivir, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and molnupiravir as potential agents to protect nursing home residents.
Trump Administration Seeks Educational Benefits for Troops Discharged for COVID-19 Vaccine Refusal
The mandate that military personnel were required to receive COVID-19 vaccines officially ended in January 2023, and now the Trump administration is seeking to restore eligibility for educational benefits to all 8,400 servicemembers who were discharged with failure to comply with the order.
What Are the Key Drivers of Increased Cases of Post-COVID-19 Dysautonomia in Active-Duty Servicemembers?
Because a significant proportion of patients presenting with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) have met diagnostic criteria for certain disorders of the autonomic nervous system, a study team set out to evaluate demographic and medical factors associated with PASC dysautonomia in active-duty U.S. servicemembers (ADSM).
Pandemic Significantly Affected Mental Health of Military Healthcare Workers
The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically increased the mental health burden on military healthcare providers, according to a new study.
COVID-19 Mortality Originally Higher for Veterans With Diabetes; Less So Now
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, veterans with diabetes had a higher risk of dying within two months after infection, compared to veterans without diabetes. Those risks had generally evened out by mid-2022, however, according to a new study.
Long COVID Looks Different in Older Adults, Sometimes in Unexpected Ways
Long COVID looks different in older adults, according to a study evaluating how aging affects the frequency and prevalent symptoms of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2.
Veterans’ Flu Cases, Severity Exceeded COVID-19 Last Flu Season
Influenza cases, hospitalization and deaths among veterans outnumbered those of COVID-19 during the last winter season, marking the first time this has occurred since the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighting the severity of the flu, according to a recent study.
COVID-19 Vaccine Remains Cost-Effective for Adults in Most Cases
One of the complaints about widespread vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic is that the effort was a waste of time and money because so many Americans were at relatively low risk of having severe outcomes.
Additional COVID-19 Vaccines Effective in Cancer Patients
Additional doses of COVID-19 vaccines were significantly effective at preventing COVID-19 hospitalizations for cancer patients, according to a new study that involved four healthcare systems, including the VHA.
Burnout Trends Persist Among VA Healthcare Workers Despite Post-Pandemic Decline
Burnout among healthcare workers in the VA soared during the COVID-19 pandemic and still remains a challenge, particularly in primary care, mental health and nursing services, according to a large new VA study.
What Is the Relative Severity of Respiratory Viral Illnesses?
Respiratory viral illnesses (RVIs) such as COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are significant causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.
OTC Magnesium Supplements Might Be Protective Against HF, Other CVDs
What is the effect of nonprescription magnesium supplements on the risk of HF or major adverse cardiac events in patients with diabetes?
New-Onset Diabetes After COVID-19 Infection Likely to Go Into Remission
As researchers continue to investigate the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2, a new study utilizing VA data has uncovered an intriguing pattern: Individuals who developed new-onset diabetes after a COVID-19 infection were more likely to experience diabetes remission.
2023-to-2024 XBB.1.5 COVID-19 Vaccines Weren’t Effective Over Long Term
Serious concerns were raised in a new VA study about the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines targeting the XBB.1.5 Omicron variant, which were introduced in September 2023.
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.
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.
Pandemic Decreased Already Too Low Lung Cancer Screening Rates
A new study demonstrated how critically the COVID-19 pandemic affected lung cancer screening (LCS).
Unraveling the Mystery of Long COVID: VA Steps Up for Nation in Crisis
By March 2020, the SARS-COV-2 virus had reached every inhabited continent on the globe, with devastating impact. In response, the U.S. and many other countries entered lockdowns to slow the spread and reduce deaths from the virus.
Another Reason to Reduce PPI Use? Usage Linked to Susceptibility for Respiratory Infections
One of the most commonly used medication classes worldwide, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are effective for treating acid-related stomach disorders, such as ulcers, heartburn or acid reflux.
COVID-19 More Severe in Veterans With Chronic Lung Diseases
Veterans with chronic lung diseases, particularly idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), other interstitial lung diseases (ILD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), have an increased risk of experiencing more severe 30-day outcomes with COVID-19, according to a recent study.
COVID-19 Complications Continue to Arise Three Years After Infection
The long-term effects of COVID-19 might last longer and manifest themselves later than was previously thought, according to a new study that followed patients for three years after their initial illness.
RSV Is as Severe as COVID-19, Flu When Everyone’s Unvaccinated
A recent study suggested that RSV disease severity is similar to unvaccinated patients hospitalized with COVID-19 or influenza, but significantly more severe than patients hospitalized with those diseases who had been vaccinated.
Mounting Evidence of RSV Severity Bolsters Argument for Vaccination
Immunization levels against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among older adults remained relatively low at around 24% as of late March. As a comparison, national coverage with influenza vaccines for all U.S. adults was 48.3% in the same time period, 2% higher than last year.
Mortality Up in VHA Inpatients With COVID-19 Plus Hospital-Acquired Infections
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), an opportunistic pathogen commonly associated with healthcare-associated infections, has a high mortality rate. The organism’s high virulence and ability to rapidly acquire resistance to antibiotics make PA infections a treatment challenge.
Nearly 20% of Veterans Showed Decline During COVID-19 Pandemic
While most U.S. veterans maintained or improved physical and mental function a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, almost 20% showed a decline, according to a new study.
