Publications by authors named "S T Woolson"
Epigenetic measures of aging derived from DNA methylation are promising biomarkers associated with prospective morbidity and mortality, but require validation in real-world medical settings. Using data from 2,216 post-9/11 veterans, we examined whether accelerated DunedinPACE aging scores were associated with chronic disease morbidity, predicted healthcare costs, and mortality assessed over an average of 13.1 years of follow up in VA electronic health records.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Adults with dementia are frequently prescribed antipsychotic medications despite concerns that risks outweigh benefits. Understanding conditions where antipsychotics are initially prescribed, such as hospitalization, may offer insights into reducing inappropriate use.
Design, Setting, Participants: Retrospective cohort study of community-dwelling veterans with dementia aged ≥68 with VA hospitalizations in 2014, using Veterans Health Administration (VA) and Medicare data.
Background: Palliative care improves the quality of life for people with life-limiting conditions, which are common among older adults. Despite the Veterans Health Administration (VA) outpatient palliative care expansion, most research has focused on inpatient palliative care. This study aimed to compare veteran characteristics and hospice use for palliative care users across care settings (inpatient vs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Psychological distress is a common yet often overlooked issue among veterans coping with lung cancer, significantly impacting their mental health and quality of life.
- In a study of 60 veterans with lung cancer, high levels of distress were noted, with 37% showing signs of depression, 35% experiencing anxiety, and 13% having cancer-related PTSD.
- Recommendations for future research include identifying veterans at risk for psychological distress and testing mental health interventions specifically targeting this vulnerable group.
Purpose: In 2020, Congress passed legislation to establish the national Veterans Child Care Assistance Program (VCAP) targeting eligible veterans receiving care through the Veterans Health Administration (VA). This needs assessment describes the childcare needs of veteran caretakers of young children and explores the implications of inadequate childcare on health care engagement.
Methods: Survey data were collected from 2,000 VA users with dependent children; data were analyzed using standard descriptive statistics.