Inside Veteran Health

The winter months are the hardest season on the blood supply in America. Inclement weather, canceled blood drives, flu, and seasonal illnesses. VA encourages our employees and Veterans to donate now.

Army Veteran “Doc” Dentice planned on a one-and-done holiday party for Veterans at the Milwaukee VA back in 1988. This year, assisted by 85 volunteers, he did it again…party number 31!

A new study of more than 400,000 people finds that one or two drinks four days a week increases the risk of premature death. Many Veterans from 18 to 85 were included in the study.

Army Vietnam Veteran Donald Weiss is being treated for depression with Electro Convulsive therapy. He is under anesthesia and feels nothing during the procedure. And it’s working.

She’s in Iraq. He’s at home with the kids. The distance and the difference in life’s demands can cause problems. VA has a great program that helps couples learn skills to deal with the challenges.

VA has a program called REACH VET which identifies Veterans at highest risk for suicide. It identified 30,000 Veterans in its first year. A study calls the program promising.

Because it is estimated that approximately 12 percent of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point during their lifetime, mammograms and early detection are critical.

While treatment for headaches is available at all VA medical centers, seven hospitals are specifically working to help polytrauma and TBI Veterans.

Marine Veteran Randy Elston attempted suicide because he felt there was no hope. After treatment at VA’s San Diego Aspire Center, his life has the promise of a successful future for him and his family.

Army Veteran Joni Mulvania is back for this year’s TEE Tournament in Iowa, an annual event for blind Veterans and those with other disabilities. She exemplifies the spirit of the games.

A quarter of women Veterans receiving VA health care live in rural areas. VA is making sure their doctors, nurses and staff are up to date on women’s health care needs.

It took Army Veteran Jerry 48 years after his tour in Vietnam to ask VA for help with his PTSD. Today, he “can do a lot of things” he couldn’t do before and “accepts life a lot easier.”