HLTH Foundation’s Post

🤒 How did we address the needs of military members, Veterans and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic? At Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA)’s Public Health 2024 conference, the JMVFH team is currently attending a session on mid- and post-pandemic COVID-19 support. In November 2020, JMVFH published a special edition that detailed how military members, Veterans and their families were supported during the COVID-19 pandemic. 🦠 In the special edition’s editorial, JMVFH Co-Editors in Chief Dr. Stéphanie A.H. Bélanger, CD, PhD and Dr. David Pedlar provided insight into the issue’s timely development: “The idea of developing a special issue focused on COVID-19 for the Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health (JMVFH) began as the media was flooded with images of the height of the pandemic’s devastation in Italy. The virus brought about anxiety-inducing discourse, not only in the medical and academic worlds, but also in the broader citizenry. People were grappling to understand COVID-19’s modes of transmission, coming to grips with exactly how powerful the virus is, and helplessly watching as patients suffocated by the thousands in overcrowded intensive care units around the globe. “To combat that helplessness, many of our research colleagues took it upon themselves to band together and begin projects to address the impact of COVID-19 on the military, Veteran and family population. They stayed in close contact over email and by phone and found means of safely communicating and collaborating in defiance of the pandemic-imposed isolation and confinement. Those discussions naturally evolved into peer-reviewed papers, brilliantly joining science and experience to make sense of the constantly changing world around them.” ➡️ Want to learn more about how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted military members, Veterans and their families? Check out the FULL special edition for FREE (no sign-up required): https://bit.ly/3TMtAd4 #research #scientificresearch #military #veteran #militaryfamilies #militaryfamily #familyhealth #healthcare #mentalhealth #militarylife #militarymedicine CIMVHR - Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research

My inspiration and reflection this weekend: “…we need to think outside of the current box where the debate is mostly about how to increase an additional crumb to the minimum packages the poor receive, while there are lavish expenses in other sectors, such as military expenditures. Under the current system, it seems that it is easier to allocate money to terminate lives than to save them.” Aguerrebere, M., et al. (2020). "Providing Mental Health Care in Primary Care Centers in LMICs: Addressing Complex Health-Care Gaps in Chiapas, Mexico." From my master's in Global Child Health, course on Child Health and Health Systems Innovation.

Sending heartfelt thanks to all the amazing life sciences people who have been a part of my Life this year. You've each enriched my appreciation for friendships, business collaboration, and our common causes as part of the human community. Today, we each give THANKS. In doing so, let's remember that the second word is GIVING. I hope you'll find more ways to give starting tomorrow: > Give a helping hand to colleagues looking for employment. The clinical development world has not been kind to many in the past few months. > Give a helping hand to patient advocacy groups who support people and families afflicted with life-threatening illnesses. > Give a helping hand to your neighbors, your local law enforcement, fire departments, and services who keep us all safe in these uncertain times. > Give a helping hand through volunteering to groups with whom you find a connection. You'll get so much more than you give. > And, importantly, thank our veterans and military whenever you see them as too many are far from home this Thanksgiving protecting the very freedoms we enjoy this Season. If you have two hands, know that one is for you and the other is to help others. #Thanksgiving #GratitudeAttitude #Healthcare #ClinicalDevelopment #blessedlife biomedwoRx: Life Sciences Consulting Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation

On Wednesday, VA leaders and #veterans advocates, including DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Assistant National Legislative Director Naomi Mathis, testified in front of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on #healthcare equity for #womenveterans. Some highlights: 👩 VA leaders discussed the ongoing efforts to improve the #militarysexualassault (MST) claims process. While progress has been made, there remains much room for improvement. 👩 VA discussed progress in providing mammography services and the challenges of doing so in areas where there isn't a sufficient volume of women veterans. 👩 VA shared updates on progress related to the historic Deborah Sampson Act of 2021 and what still needs to be done. 👩 Naomi reviewed DAV's latest report on mental health and suicide among women veterans and bravely shared part of her own story. Read the full report at womenveterans.org. (her testimony starts around 1:40) 👩 The way Alissa Engel discussed MST and what's at stake was particularly powerful and effective. (her testimony starts around 1:24) 👩 The committee and witnesses discussed the SAVES Act which would expand evidentiary standards for MST claims. https://lnkd.in/gk5mH_xp 👩 The Office of Inspector General shared updates on its review and findings of gender-specific care at VA. And much more! Watch the full hearing and read submitted testimonies here: https://lnkd.in/gtT7Z8Su

70% of US Veterans live in rural areas and they have difficulty accessing mental health and medical care. Without access to healthcare, their chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, COPD, obesity, substance abuse, depression, PTSD and chronic pain stay unchecked. The Department of VA is making strides in improving access to mental health and medical care by eliminating co-pays for telehealth visits! This is a huge step in getting them the much needed healthcare. https://lnkd.in/ehuaif2H #TOTALCARE telehealth has been improving access to healthcare for rural population since 2019. Imagine placing our Made-in-Maryland Telehealth Stations at #VFW, #AmericanLegion, Community centers and other places accessible to Veterans. Now they can get ready access to mental health and medical care, connecting to local healthcare providers! Giving needed care to the ones who risked their lives to protect us and our freedoms! We are ready and present to help our #Veterans with access to healthcare. Michelle Lang Jessica Kavanagh U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families Gov. Wes Moore Florida Health Care Association Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) VFW Foundation The American Legion Maryland Rural Health Association Operation Honor: Rural Salute™️

Veterans do not come home from war; they come home with war. Join Right at Home of Central New Jersey for this one-hour webinar to explore the unique health needs of Veterans. The session will cover the physical, psychological, and psychosocial health consequences of military service, combat, and toxic exposure. It will reveal common injuries from complex, war-specific conditions. The discussion will also focus on a team-based approach to care management that includes clinical pearls you can adapt to your care setting. Participants will be able to: Describe the health impacts of military service and deployment. Explain the importance of asking about experiences, jobs, and environments encountered during military service. Apply clinical pearls in taking a brief military/deployment history as the first step in care for Veterans. List services and resources available to Veterans for optimal post-deployment care.

🌟 A recent study by the U.S. Surgeon General found that only 39% of U.S. adults feel deeply emotionally connected, and loneliness is the single greatest risk factor associated with veteran suicide, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 😞 Disconnection has severe health implications, increasing the risk of premature death by 26% (loneliness) and 29% (isolation). Weak social ties are associated with a 29% higher risk of heart disease, 32% higher risk of stroke, and greater susceptibility to anxiety, depression, and dementia. It also affects our vulnerability to viruses and respiratory illnesses. 😷 At CBAW, our #MissionBelonging program brings together military, veteran, and military-connected participants to experience self-discovery and expression through poetry and visual art in a safe community space. Through recurring experiences, participants make connections and build a community that counteracts loneliness and social isolation. An annual celebration and public performance allow veterans, military, and military families/caregivers to find their voice and experience the power of being witnessed. Through #MissionBelonging, we’re addressing these issues by transforming loneliness into connection and isolation into community support. Our free programs for Veterans, service members, healthcare providers, and civilians use expressive arts workshops to build lasting social bonds. 🎨 Your support is vital! Learn how you can invest in #MissionBelonging 2025 through online fundraising (on Facebook and Instagram) and by sharing our messages at cbaw.org/givebelonging/ Together, we can make a significant improvement in so many lives. 🤝 #GiveBelonging

Veterans do not come home from war; they come home with war. Join this one-hour webinar to explore the unique health needs of Veterans. The session will cover the physical, psychological, and psychosocial health consequences of military service, combat, and toxic exposure. It will reveal common injuries from complex, war-specific conditions. The discussion will also focus on a team-based approach to care management that includes clinical pearls you can adapt to your care setting. Participants will be able to: Describe the health impacts of military service and deployment. Explain the importance of asking about experiences, jobs, and environments encountered during military service. Apply clinical pearls in taking a brief military/deployment history as the first step in care for Veterans. List services and resources available to Veterans for optimal post-deployment care.

🚨 Highlighting a Crucial Disparity in Maternal Health Outcomes This important study by (my friends) Drs. Cooper & Dr. Hamilton (published in 2021) sheds light on a persistent disparity in the military (and likely American) healthcare system. The research revealed that Black women were significantly more likely to experience adverse outcomes than white women, even within a system with EQUAL HEALTHCARE BENEFITS (Tricare). In this study Black women were: 🚫 More likely to deliver via cesarean section 🚫 Admitted to an adult intensive care unit 🚫 Experience severe maternal morbidity This raises critical questions about the underlying factors that contribute to these disparities. Further research is essential to address these issues and ensure equitable health outcomes for all mothers. #maternalhealth #womenshealth #blackmaternalhealth THIS IS MY FAVORITE RESEARCH PAPER PERIOD!