A text message a day helps keep heart disease at bay

Taking medications after a heart attack is key to a full recovery, but for some patients that's easier said than done...Learn more

In Iowa City VA study, proximity to swine linked to higher MRSA rates

Veterans who live on or near large hog farms might want to spend a little more time washing their hands, suggests a new VA study...Learn more

Home-based kits boost cancer screening rates

Researchers with VA and the University of Iowa College of Public Health found that mailing stool tests to Veterans' homes—rather than waiting for them to be screened during office visits—was an effective measure for preventing colorectal cancer...Learn more

Genetics plays role in lessening PTSD in some women

Women with a specific genetic variant are less likely to suffer the effects of posttraumatic stress disorder, according to a new VA study...Learn more

For women Veterans, better friendships equal better health

Maintaining the social support of military peers after active duty is associated with better physical health among women Veterans, regardless of whether or not they have posttraumatic stress disordery...Learn more

Flower emerges as possible weapon against MRSA

Flowers may be among the most delicate creations in nature, but they have also developed powerful mechanisms to fend off harmful microbes and other environmental threats...Learn more

Trial reveals hyperbaric oxygen has little effect on TBI symptoms

The third of four planned trials on treating symptomatic mild traumatic brain injury with hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been completed and supports prior research, with researchers saying there are no statistically or clinically significant benefits to the therapy...Learn more

In a small pilot study, a form of meditation that involves repeating phrases of "positive intention" helped reduce symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. The study took place at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System and involved 43 Veterans, almost half women...Learn more

Gender identity disorder is about five times more prevalent among VA patients than among the general population, and the rate of suicidal behavior among Veterans with the disorder is 20-fold that of the general VA population, according to a new study...Learn more

Based on past trials, prolonged exposure therapy is one of two evidence-based psychotherapies that VA is teaching on a wide scale to its mental health clinicians for treating posttraumatic stress disorder...Learn more

Study highlights cost-savings from generic drug use in VA

Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes are two to three times more likely to use expensive brand-name drugs than a comparable group of VA patients, according to a nationwide study by researchers with VA...Learn more

Online brain training effective, but more evidence needed

Online brain-training programs such as Braintrain, Cogmed, and Cognifit generally do improve users' cognitive skills, but the results don't always transfer to real-world tasks outside those used in the online training...Learn more

Dental care linked to better outcomes for homeless Veterans

A study of nearly 10,000 Veterans who had taken part in a VA homeless intervention program found that those who had received dental care enjoyed better outcomes in a number of areas...Learn more

Telemedicine yields good results in hypertension trial

Veterans with hypertension and diabetes were less likely to develop retinal disease—a common diabetes complication—when they received special medication management through a VA study called the Hypertension Intervention Nurse Telemedicine Study...Learn more

Bison edges beef in nutrition study

Bison meat has been touted as being healthier than beef. Bison typically graze in grasslands and according to the National Bison Association they are not routinely given growth hormones or antibiotics, as are cattle... Learn more