Julie Tomáška, PhD, MSPH’s Post

Veterans Day 2024: Honoring Service, Advancing Justice This Veterans Day, Burn Pits 360 reaffirms our unwavering gratitude to the brave men and women who have selflessly served our nation. Among these heroes are those whose lives have been forever altered by toxic exposures, including burn pits. Their resilience inspires our fight for accountability, justice, and care. Our 2024 Focus: Amplifying Voices, Driving Change This year, Burn Pits 360 is focused on ensuring every veteran exposed to toxic hazards receives the care, benefits, and acknowledgment they deserve. With the new diagnostic code for Constrictive Bronchiolitis (CB) as a milestone, we are now pushing for fair and effective evaluation criteria that prioritize biopsy-proven cases and other evidence-based diagnoses. We call on Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish structured pathways like the World Trade Center Health Program to ensure timely care and support for all deployment-related respiratory diseases (DRRDs). Veterans deserve comprehensive systems of care, free from bureaucratic barriers. Stand With Us This Veterans Day, take action to honor those affected by burn pits: Sign up for our registry to document your exposure and symptoms. Submit comments on VA policies to advocate for better care and evaluation criteria. Spread awareness by sharing our mission with your community. Download the new Military Toxic Exposure Guide Together, we can ensure no veteran is left behind. Thank You to Our Veterans To every veteran, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your sacrifices inspire our commitment to building a future where no service member’s health is overlooked. Today and every day, we stand with you in the fight for justice and care. Happy Veterans Day! #BurnPits360 #VeteransDay #Veterans 4DMedical Ventus Respiratory Technologies

🚨 Health Is a Human Right and we will not stand down because of VA and DOD’s refusal to understand that Veterans suffering from lung disease are sick and dying. Stop the delay!!! This issue has claimed the lives and careers of so many war fighters. We will launch a national war lung campaign and we will establish a pathway for Veterans and equip our clinicians. Veterans with Constrictive Bronchiolitis are still struggling to get the care and benefits they need. The VA's reliance on outdated tests like PFTs is leaving many without proper diagnosis and support. We need to push for change NOW! Read more about the fight for proper recognition of toxic exposure illnesses in this latest @StarsAndStripes article. Let's keep up the fight for our veterans! 💪 John Feal Tim Jensen David Shulkin Barbara Canales Julie Tomáška, PhD, MSPH Laura Chapman, JD, BPOR,MRP,ABR, SFR Tammy Butterick, PhD Arjun Grewal Clint Mayhue Read the full article: [Stars and Stripes](https://lnkd.in/gQyyVK2c) #BurnPits360 #VeteransHealth #PACTAct #ToxicExposure #ConstrictiveBronchiolitis #VA

Have you joined SALUTE? Veterans often experience higher rates of chronic physical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases compared to non-veterans. Many veterans suffer from service-related disabilities, with musculoskeletal injuries being common among recent veterans. As more veterans seek treatment outside of Veterans Affairs Health, it is critical that acute, ambulatory and senior care leaders take actionable steps to support veterans in their care. Download ECRI’s free toolkit and start improving veteran care now: https://hubs.la/Q02z71n50 #honorveterans #standupforveterans #SALUTE #veteranhealth

“Let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.” President Dwight D. Eisenhower   According to a 2022 report to US Congress with data provided by Dr. Steven Lieberman, VHA Under Secretary of Health, more than 796,340 Veterans have died from Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) Lower Limb Amputations (LLA) since 2001. Approximately 93% of these Veterans were denied access to HBOT or not provided medically required ‘Informed Consent” about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. This is a National Tragedy which is preventable, but Veterans are largely and routinely denied access to FDA, CMS and Tricare-approved HBOT treatments, resulting in their premature DFU/LLA deaths. Help TreatNOW.org make FDA, CMS and Tricare-approved Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy available to all Veterans meeting DFU Medicare criteria or in the ten states which have legislated HBOT for TBI Veterans. #chambertreatment #DFU #DiabeticFootUlcers #HBOT #HM #hyperbaric #hyperbaricchamber #HyperbaricOxygentherapy #oxygen #PTSD #TBI #TBItreatment #VA #Veterans #VeteransAffairs #VeteransHealthAdministration #VHA

Prevalence of Burn Pit Associated Symptoms Among US Veterans Who Utilize Non-Veteran’s Affairs Private Healthcare Conti, Michael A. BA; Bardes, James M. MD; Oury, Jeffrey MD; Goodboy, Alan K. PhD; Shin, Matt MA; Wilson, Alison MD Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 66(5):p 439-444, May 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003085 The majority of the 3.5 million Gulf War and Post-9/11 era US military veterans exposed to toxins from open air burn pits utilize private non-VA related healthcare. They have significantly higher odds of developing extremity neuropathies and pulmonary diseases. Optimal veteran care may require greater awareness from the medical community LEARNING OUTCOMES The majority of the 3.5 million U.S. Gulf War and Post-9/11 era US military veterans exposed to toxins from open-air burn pits are within the current labor force and utilize private non-VA-related healthcare. Our data indicates burn pit exposed veterans have significantly higher odds of extremity neuropathies and pulmonary diseases; some of which are not currently covered in the 2022 federal PACT Act law veteran medical benefits. Optimal veteran care may require greater awareness from the medical community and continued federal policy maker review for expansion of PACT Act law benefits. https://lnkd.in/e7ZThqt5 #JOEM #burnpit #Veterans

Sepsis Superheroes Unite! Today is World Sepsis Day, and we're calling on all Sepsis superheroes to join forces and save lives! Whether you're a healthcare professional, a researcher, or just a Sepsis awareness advocate, you have the power to make a difference. So, don your cape (or scrubs) and let's: Fight Sepsis with knowledge and awareness Save lives with quick action and proper treatment Unite with others to combat Sepsis worldwide Share this post and let's create a Sepsis-fighting army! Use the hashtag #SepsisSuperheroes and tag a colleague who's making a difference in the fight against Sepsis. Together, we can conquer Sepsis and save lives! #WHO #WHONigeria #PublichealthPractitioner #WorldSepsisDay #SepsisAwareness #FightSepsis #SaveLives #HealthcareHeroes

Continuing to share our results during #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, one of the most impactful scores can be measured by the Head Injury Questionnaire. Symptoms monitored through this exam include: headaches, neck pain, lack of initiative, getting lost while driving, difficulty concentrating, number/letter reversals, nausea/vomiting, feeling confused/disoriented, not recognizing people you know well, crying spells, extreme emotional reaction, thoughts of ending your life, less control over anger, hearing/seeing things that aren't really there, ringing in ears, sensitivity to bright light, blackouts, nightmares and more. Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBI), are unfortunately all too common among our veteran population. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 20% of veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan are estimated to have experienced at least one TBI. These injuries can have profound and long-lasting effects, impacting not only physical health but also cognitive function, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. As we honor our veterans, it's essential to recognize the significance of these injuries and the need for comprehensive support and treatment. At HOW Foundation, we're dedicated to providing access to life-changing hyperbaric oxygen therapy and other resources to help veterans recover and thrive. Together, let's raise awareness about the prevalence of head injuries among our veterans and ensure they receive the care and support they deserve. 🎗️ #VeteransHealth #TBIAwareness #HOWFoundation

On this Veteran's Day, I'd like to highlight a few specific risks of Cardiovascular Disease facing our military and veteran communities. American Heart Association teams with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Defense Health Agency, and other medical research organizations to identify risks and make science-backed recommendations to improve overall health and reduce risks of heart disease and related health issues. I encourage you to support American Heart Association's current fundraising campaign visiting my Leaders of Impact Team fundraiser page before December 4th: https://lnkd.in/gNrJZNxj Here are some Veteran-specific CVD health risks. Check out the VA's research summary link in my comment below. ·     More than 18% of active-duty personnel serving in the U.S. Armed Forces between 2007 and 2016 were diagnosed with at least one CVD risk factor including: obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes and abnormal blood glucose ·     Among VA patients, those diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) were 41% more likely to develop circulatory and heart disease than those without PTSD. ·     A diagnosis of PTSD and/or a more severe injury can more than double a veteran’s risk for high blood pressure. ·     Veteran status alone may contribute to the risk of developing CVD. Veterans have increased risk for developing new-onset heart disease - ·     Veterans report higher rates of CVD conditions than nonveterans. Veterans also reported higher numbers of CVD conditions at younger ages (ages 25 to 70 years) than nonveteran counterparts. ·     Among U.S. Veterans, approximately 6,000 hospital admissions each year are attributable to ischemic strokes. #americanheartassociation #leadersofimpact #veterans #veteranhealth #heartdisease #va

On this Veteran’s Day, Stephanie “Jersey” Martinez gives a glimpse into her life as a former active duty service member, wife, mother, Thrombassador, NBCA staff member, and passionate blood clot awareness advocate. Did you know that military personnel and veterans are at an increased risk for blood clots? Several factors contribute to this elevated risk, including: 1. Injuries and surgeries: Combat-related injuries, surgeries, and prolonged immobility during recovery can increase clotting risk. These events often result in damage to blood vessels or periods of immobility, both of which are key risk factors. 2. Immobilization and long travel: Veterans often endure long travel times or may experience periods of restricted mobility, which are known to increase the risk of clots. 3. High levels of physical and emotional stress: Stress and conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is more common among veterans, can contribute to inflammation, which raises the risk for blood clots. 4. Underlying health conditions: Higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, and other cardiovascular issues in the veteran population can compound clotting risk. Increased awareness among veterans and their healthcare providers is critical, as early detection and intervention are essential in preventing serious complications from blood clots. #stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory #bloodclots #vte #dvt #deepveinthrombosis #ijvt #jugularclot #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotprevention #bloodclotsurvivor #bloodclotstory

He was 24-years old, newly married, a recent graduate, commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps., a Boston Marathon qualifier, a devoted family man, full of faith and ready to take on the world 🔥 One day, he noticed a tick burrowed in his lower leg. He picked it off, washed it down the drain and carried on business as usual. ✌🏼 days later, he had a fever 🤒 ✌🏼 years later, he was confined to a wheelchair with significant muscle atrophy, neurodegeneration, and impaired speech. Initially, doctors thought he had ALS and treated him accordingly. Later, he was diagnosed with TBRF and Lyme disease 🦠 It took two years 😩 Last year, I received his obituary in the mail 🥺 After nearly 4 years of treatment with different specialists across the country, he passed away 💔 I share this story because Lyme disease is easy to miss. Due to its ability to mimic many different illnesses and the difficulty in diagnosing, it has been referred to as, “the great imitator.” According to the CDC, current diagnostics miss about 60% of early stage Lyme disease cases 🤯 I don’t know that things would have been different for this patient if his condition had been properly diagnosed from the beginning, but it is something I will always wonder about. If you suspect that you or someone you love has Lyme disease, please seek out the proper testing💚 #lymedisease #lymediseaseawarenessmonth #seniorliving #lymeawareness