Washington State

Maggie DeRee, a veteran and dedicated volunteer, has devoted nearly 28,000 hours to the VA over 25 years. She served 20 years in the Army Reserve as a chef and had deployments in Korea and Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm. Her passion for art led her to the Veterans Creative Arts Festival, which ...

Breast cancer is most treatable when detected early, prompting the VA to encourage eligible Veterans, both women and men, to schedule regular screenings and mammograms. The VA recommends annual or biennial mammograms for most women starting at age 40, or earlier for those at higher risk. Dr. Tina...

The holiday season brings joy and celebration, but it can also lead to increased stress. Signs of stress include difficulty concentrating, feelings of worry, irritability, and fatigue. As people prepare for gatherings, shopping, or travel, it’s essential to be aware of personal stress levels. Hea...

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released a research wrap-up focusing on three key areas: suicide prevention, the use of CBD, and headache treatments. A recent study found that veterans are at increased risk for suicide, and the VA is emphasizing the importance of mental health resourc...

A recent study highlights the significance of sensory input in the built environment and proposes design guidelines to accommodate diverse user needs. Sensory processing issues can lead to confusion or irritation when sensory signals do not integrate effectively. Researchers employed a mixed meth...

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is vital for early childhood development, yet low- and middle-income countries often lack proper assessment tools. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is suitable for countries like India because it is low-cost and reliable. This study investigat...

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) has shown promise for autistic youth and their families in reducing disruptive behaviors and improving language development and relationships. Traditionally, the PCIT protocol was adapted for autism rather than developed with input from the autism community...

This study examines the facilitators, barriers, and recommendations for improving HIV self-testing (HIVST) uptake among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender (TG) individuals in Asia. Researchers conducted a systematic search of various databases and analyzed findings using the Confiden...

A study examined reproductive health care utilization among U.S. females with disabilities who had recent live births. It found that women with disabilities face greater preconception health risks and poorer perinatal outcomes. Using data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System colle...

A study published in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities highlights the impact of a cultural pride intervention on Black children’s mental health. The pilot program, called Just for Me!, aimed to help parents instill cultural pride in their preschoolers through Black-centered play...

People with disabilities face significant disparities in perinatal health and care, influenced by healthcare inequities. A study analyzed data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) covering 2019-2021, focusing on how perinatal care varies with the extent of disability among...

A study published in BMC Cancer examines the impact of cognitively challenging physical activity (PA) on children and adolescents undergoing cancer treatment. Young cancer patients often face physical and cognitive challenges, particularly affecting executive functions (EFs). The research aims to...

A study examined type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)-related avoidable mortality among individuals with developmental disabilities, using national claims data. The research focused on people over 30 diagnosed with T2DM from 2012 to 2016, comparing their outcomes with those of individuals with other d...

Ableist microaggressions, which are subtle forms of discrimination against people with disabilities, significantly impact autistic adults. These microaggressions lead to social camouflage, where autistic individuals hide their traits to fit in with non-autistic groups, often resulting in negative...

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and the West Coast Health Alliance, alongside leading national medical organizations, continue to recommend COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for all eligible individuals. As the fall season approaches, the DOH emphasizes the importance of vaccinat...

Veterans should be aware of a proposed change to how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rates scars. Currently, the VA uses a specific rating schedule to evaluate scars, which can affect veterans’ disability compensation. The proposed change aims to simplify the rating process and make it mo...

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is expanding its outreach to prevent veteran suicide through various initiatives aimed at improving access to mental health services. The VA is collaborating with community organizations, leveraging technology, and employing innovative strategies to reach v...

The Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) program offers veterans an opportunity to rebuild their strength and skills through meaningful work experiences. This program is part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and is designed to help veterans who are facing challenges in their transition to civ...

VA research highlights three critical areas: PTSD, sleep apnea, and nutrition. Studies show that veterans with PTSD often experience sleep disturbances, which can exacerbate their condition. Researchers are investigating the links between sleep apnea and PTSD, aiming to improve treatment options ...