How UCLA is working to improve the health of veterans

Americans will honor our nation's veterans on Tuesday, giving thanks to those who've served their country in the Armed Forces. For UCLA, honoring veterans through research-driven health care and health care policy is a year-round mission through a partnership with the Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System in Los Angeles.

"The combination of academic research by UCLA and VA faculty, many of whom also deliver care to veterans at the VA, is really a case where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts," said Dr. Elizabeth Yano, professor in the Fielding School's Department of Health Policy and Management and of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and director of the VA's Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation & Policy at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. "This work changes practice, based on what is observed as gaps in care, and talking with veterans about what they need and experience so the next studies can act on them; and on top of that, veterans continue to serve by participating in research that makes a difference in their health, and that of all Americans."

The veterans' health-focused studies by UCLA researchers, many with affiliations with VAGLAHS and/or the UCLA schools of public health, medicine, nursing, and dentistry, run from operational and organizational improvement to the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Recent work has included:

• A series of peer-reviewed research studies of colorectal cancer screening rates, and developing interventions to increase colorectal cancer prevention and early detection.
• Research into the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve risk assessment for those suffering from diabetes and related complications.
• Research into pancreatic cancer, including the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.
• Research into the use of electronic health records (EHR) in primary care settings by nurses and improving the record systems to expedite and improve care.

"This research is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration," said Dr. Michael Ong, a physician and professor-in-residence of medicine and Health Policy and Management at UCLA Fielding and associate chief of staff for research and development at VAGLAHS. "By combining scientific and clinical expertise, we are building next-generation tools to transform complex disease management and personalized medicine."

Read more on the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health website.