The average wait time for a neurologist specialist visit in the United States is about 50 days for commercially insurance patients, and those with multiple sclerosis wait even longer.
Multimodal Exercise Program Promising for Reducing Frailty in MS Patients
Frailty not only is a prevalent and debilitating condition in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients; it also is linked to poorer health outcomes.
Legislators, Former Defense Health Board Members Object to Discontinuation of Mandated Military Flu Shots
The Pentagon is partially walking back its decision to make the influenza vaccine entirely voluntary, granting exemptions to the policy change for the services, including requiring it for all recruits entering basic training.
More Veterans Screening Positive for Depression and PTSD
More veterans are screening positive for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), even as measures of suicide risk and alcohol-use disorder show modest improvement, according to a large new study of more than 3.6 million veterans receiving care through the VA.
VA Eliminates LGBTQ Care-Coordinator Positions in Response to Executive Order
VA is eliminating its LGBTQ care coordinator positions, as well as all activities dealing with veterans’ gender identity, according to a leaked internal memo.
Heart Failure Duration Linked to Cardiac Remodeling, Dysfunction
A new study proposed that pathophysiologic features associated with increased risk in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) might reflect distinct phenotypes or disease stages related to heart failure (HF) duration and then set out to document that.
Catheter Ablation Safe, Career-Preserving for Servicemembers with Tachycardia
Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is the most common supraventricular tachycardia, and treatment for U.S. active-duty servicemembers (ADSM) can have unique career implications and might affect military retention.
More Treatment of High LDL-C Critical at VA to Avoid ASCVD
Pointing out that elevated serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a major risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), a new study decried that only one-third of veterans with ASCVD have LDL-C treated to goal despite the availability of effective drugs to lower the condition.
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.”
Younger Veterans With Insomnia/Sleep Apnea Combo Have High Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
The combination of insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea can be a dangerous combination for U.S. veterans, resulting in a much higher risk of Type 2 diabetes, among other conditions.
Costs of Care, Oncologic Outcomes Related to Blue Light Cystoscopy at VA
Higher upfront costs vs. improved recurrence outcomes are a tradeoff when incorporating blue light cystoscopy (BLC) into nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) management, according to a new study.
Intradetrusor incobotulinumtoxinA Is Noninferior to OnabotulinumtoxinA in Treatment of Idiopathic Overactive Bladder
Is incobotulinumtoxinA to onabotulinumtoxinA more effective for the treatment of idiopathic overactive bladder syndrome?
Survey Found Improved Peritoneal Dialysis Program Infrastructure and Clinical Practices at VHA
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) use among the U.S. veterans is lower than that in the nonveteran kidney failure population. The VA has made access to high quality home dialysis a strategic priority.
VA Security Guards Consistently Failed to Detect Weapons, Other Contraband in Security Tests
VA police officers tasked with guarding medical facilities consistently failed to detect weapons and other contraband in a security test conducted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a recent report reveals.
Suicide Risk Higher in Active-Duty Army Servicemembers Who Carry Weapons
Among U.S. Army servicemembers who own firearms, carrying them, as well as other weapons, and storing them unsecured are associated with greater risk of suicide, according to a recent study.
Staffing Challenges at VA Keeping Homeless Veterans From Getting Help They Need
Tens of thousands of homeless and at-risk veterans who are eligible for VA’s largest housing assistance program are not being referred to it because of staffing challenges at VAMCs, according to a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report.
Concerns Raised Over New Limitations for SAMHSA Grants; Federal Group Also Has Faced Severe Staff Cuts
New limitations on how Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) grant can be used has sparked confusion and concern, as has a campaign by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. urging providers to limit psychiatric medications which have been proven effective in combating depression and preventing suicide.
Older Adults More Likely to Be Prescribed Drugs Increasing Delirium, Fall Risk in Acute, Post-Acute Settings
Even though some types of medications, such as antipsychotics, affect cognition and might increase delirium and fall risk among older adults, they remain frequently prescribed, according to a new study, but office-based physicians don’t appear to be the worst offenders.
Community Survey Found Appreciation for Military Medical Research
While the U.S. military supports a large medical research enterprise, public awareness of those efforts and the benefits to civilians has remained a relatively unknown factor.
Military Population Shows High Adherence to Stool DNA Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal cancer screening rates remain below national targets in the general U.S. population, but a large new study suggested that adherence might be substantially higher among military members, retirees and their families.
Results Similar Between IV and Oral Iron Replacement Therapy With Mitigation
Noting that the long-term outcomes associated with intravenous (IV) vs. oral iron replacement therapy in patients with chronic kidney disease have been unclear, a recent study sought to remedy that.
Morning Dosing Appears Better for Use of ICIs in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients
Does synchronizing immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) dosing with morning peaks in immune activation improve clinical outcomes?
Did Burn Pit Exposure Increase the Prevalence of Multiple Myeloma Precursor, MGUS?
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a precursor condition for multiple myeloma.
Video Telemedicine Might Match In-Person Diabetes Care Outcomes in Veterans
Telemedicine has become an important tool for managing chronic diseases such as diabetes, particularly for patients facing geographic, mobility or scheduling barriers to specialty care. But new research from the VA suggests outcomes may differ, depending on how remote diabetes specialty care is delivered.
CGM Data Predicts Kidney Decline, Cuts ESRD Risk in VA Diabetes Studies
VA researchers also find TBI doubles dementia risk in type 2 diabetes; stress tied to diabetes onset; and metformin linked to slower biological aging
Older Adults’ Approach to Cognitive Test Problems Can Help Predict Future Dementia Risk
How older adults approach cognitive test problems, such as the small mistakes they make and the strategies they use, can help predict who will later develop dementia, a finding that is helpful in detecting earlier any risk of cognitive decline, according to a recent study.
Polygenic Scores Show Limited Value in Cardiovascular Risk Prediction for Breast Cancer Survivors
Approximately 4 million women in the United States are living with breast cancer, a number that reflects advances in screening and treatment. As survivorship improves, attention has increasingly shifted toward long-term risks such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), a leading cause of mortality in this population and a growing concern within the VA, given the increasing number of women veterans.
MRI-Guided TMS Improves Outcomes in Combat-Related PTSD Trial
Combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most difficult mental health conditions to treat among military personnel and veterans. Although trauma-focused psychotherapies help many patients recover, some continue to experience severe symptoms despite intensive treatment.
FY2027 VA Budget Predicts Healthcare Staffing Remaining at Current Levels
The VA funding request for fiscal year 2027 has the department expecting to spend big on new construction in the coming year, with less emphasis on any new hiring. It also continues to slowly bring spending on community care into parity with VA direct medical care.
Repeated Blast Exposure Appears to Increase Brain Aneurysms in U.S. Special Operations Forces
In U.S. Special Operations Forces personnel, greater repeated blast exposure is associated with a higher prevalence of intracranial aneurysms, according to a recent study.