scholarly journals Infertility Services for Veterans: Policies, Challenges, and Opportunities

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (01) ◽  
pp. 012-016
Author(s):  
Stephanie W. Edmonds ◽  
Laurie C. Zephyrin ◽  
Alicia Christy ◽  
Ginny L. Ryan
Keyword(s):  
Female Veterans ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Medical Benefits ◽  
Benefits Package

AbstractInfertility prevalence and care needs among male and female Veterans are understudied topics. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical benefits package covers full infertility evaluation and many infertility treatments for Veterans but not, by law, for their spouses. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is also specifically excluded from this medical benefits package by regulation. Congress passed a law in 2016 that allowed VHA to provide IVF to Veterans and their legal spouses, and broader infertility benefits to the legal spouse, if the Veteran has a service-connected condition associated with his or her infertility, with some limitations. As the Veteran population becomes increasingly female, research efforts in reproductive health, including infertility, are expanding and evolving. This includes a nationwide study currently underway examining infertility among male and female Veterans and associations with military-related trauma, such as injury, posttraumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, and toxin exposure. In this review, we describe the state of the science and policy on infertility care in the VHA along with challenges and opportunities that exist within the VHA system.

“Don't We Take Care of Our Veterans?” The Critical Need for Veteran's Health Services Infertility Services for Veterans: Policies, Challenges, and Opportunities

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (05/06) ◽  
pp. 227-231
Author(s):  
Lee Woodruff ◽  
Gilbert L. Mottla
Keyword(s):  
Armed Forces ◽  
Home Front ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
After Effects ◽  
Global War On Terrorism ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Veteran’S Health ◽  
To Come ◽  
Global War

AbstractSince October 2001, more than 2.7 million men and women of the armed forces have been deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, or in support of the “Global War on Terrorism.” Like previous wars, our nation will feel the after-effects of those deployments for a generation to come, as the wounds of war do not just affect the veteran, but impact their family and friends once they return to the home front. But unlike previous wars, less than 1% of our population serves their country in an all-volunteer military. This small percentage of Americans who volunteer to serve us and protect our freedoms (no matter what you might think about the politics surrounding wars) is increasingly removed from the rest of the population who choose other careers and options. Therefore, most of us are uneducated and unconnected to the often isolating experiences and frustrations of our veterans when they return to the home front and try to retake the stage of their former lives. In this discussion, we share the compelling stories of military members and veterans who struggle with infertility. We describe the need for policy and expansion of services for infertility care in the Department of Defense and Veterans Health Administration, and the challenges and opportunities that exist.

scholarly journals Melatonin in male and female fertility

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 145-151
Author(s):  
Zainab M. Alawad ◽  
Hanan L. Al-Omary
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Oocyte Quality ◽  
The Body ◽  
Female Fertility ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Cancer Agent

Melatonin, a hormone synthesized mainly by the pineal gland, has been found in extra-pineal organs as well. It’s known as an organizer of circadian rhythms and more recently as an anti-oxidant. In addition to its role in maintaining immunity, pathophysiology of cardiovascular and neurological diseases, and as an anti-cancer agent, evidence has demonstrated that melatonin exerts a positive impact on male and female fertility primarily through oxygen scavenging effects. In In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) programs, supplementation of melatonin may be associated with better outcomes in terms of sperm quality, oocyte quality, embryo quality and pregnancy rates. This review summarizes various actions of melatonin on the body focusing on male and female fecundity.

Supporting older military veterans in the rural US

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 286-297
Author(s):  
Bret Hicken ◽  
Kimber Parry
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
The Us

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of rural older veterans in the US and discuss how the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is increasing access to health care for older veterans in rural areas. Design/methodology/approach This is a descriptive paper summarizing population and program data about rural veterans. Findings VA provides a variety of health care services and benefits for older veterans to support health, independence, and quality of life. With the creation of the Veterans Health Administration Office of Rural Health (ORH) in 2006, the needs of rural veterans, who are on average older than urban veterans, are receiving greater attention and support. ORH and VA have implemented several programs to specifically improve access to health care for rural veterans and to improve quality of care for older veterans in rural areas. Originality/value This paper is one of the first to describe how VA is addressing the health care needs of older, rural veterans.

scholarly journals In-Home Video Telehealth for Caregivers and Veterans With Dementia

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 661-661
Author(s):  
Megan Gately ◽  
Lauren Moo
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Population ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Caregiver Support ◽  
Privacy Concerns ◽  
Home Video ◽  
Pharmacologic Management ◽  
The Right

Abstract Home Video Telehealth offers a unique opportunity to support already burdened caregivers of persons with dementia. Veterans Health Administration, through the MISSION Act, is increasingly using video telehealth to provide “care at the right time and in the right place.” Little is known about the benefits and challenges of using video telehealth for in-home caregiver support. We present findings from our seven years offering in-home dementia management to caregivers of Veterans with dementia, that includes supporting caregivers through supportive listening, tips for communication and safety strategies, and recommendations regarding non-pharmacologic management of behaviors. Perceived benefits of in-home video telehealth include an ‘in vivo’ perspective of the family’s natural context and remediating barriers to care such as decreased mobility. Perceived challenges include dealing with technology and privacy concerns. By describing considerations for in-home video telehealth to a clinical population with unique care needs, we inform broader application of a promising technology.

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