https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-rss/?title=Latest%20News%20from%20VACS&orgId=110454 A selection of the latest research, academic, and other newsworthy developments at Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) en-us Copyright 2026 Yale School of Medicine Fri, 17 Apr 2026 02:11:26 Z https://news.yale.edu/2026/04/08/serving-those-who-served-many-yale-physicians-veteran-care-has-become-mission https://news.yale.edu/2026/04/08/serving-those-who-served-many-yale-physicians-veteran-care-has-become-mission Generations of Yale physicians have treated patients and launched cutting-edge health care initiatives through Yale’s affiliation with the VA Connecticut Healthcare System. Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/public-transit-barrier-to-methadone-treatment/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/public-transit-barrier-to-methadone-treatment/ In a new study published in JAMA Network Open, Yale researchers examined the burdens for people who use public transit to access methadone treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) at Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) in Connecticut. Tue, 03 Feb 2026 16:30:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/chronic-hepatitis-c-linked-to-increased-risk-of-pancreatic-cancer/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/chronic-hepatitis-c-linked-to-increased-risk-of-pancreatic-cancer/ A new study from Yale School of Medicine researchers found a positive link between chronic hepatitis C and pancreatic cancer. The study, which was published in JAMA Network Open, revealed that individuals with chronic HCV infection have a 1.8-fold increased risk of pancreatic cancer compared to those who test negative for the virus. Mon, 17 Nov 2025 11:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/yale-to-launch-center-promoting-healthy-aging-with-hiv/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/yale-to-launch-center-promoting-healthy-aging-with-hiv/ Yale will launch the Aging Well With HIV Through Alcohol Research and Risk Reduction and Education (AWAR3E) Center with a five-year grant awarded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Thu, 25 Sep 2025 13:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/collaborative-program-aims-to-improve-study-of-hiv-and-rheumatic-and-musculoskeletal-diseases-in-uganda/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/collaborative-program-aims-to-improve-study-of-hiv-and-rheumatic-and-musculoskeletal-diseases-in-uganda/ A new collaborative program, the Ugandan Registry of RMDs in HIV (GEMINI), aims to improve the study of HIV and rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) in Uganda. Tue, 05 Aug 2025 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/opioid-overdose-crisis-medications-prevent-subsequent-overdoses/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/opioid-overdose-crisis-medications-prevent-subsequent-overdoses/ A new Yale-led retrospective cohort study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence examined the efficacy of a range of treatments for patients who survived an opioid overdose and identified treatments that are most successful in preventing subsequent overdoses. Wed, 28 May 2025 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/amy-justice-receives-2025-john-m-eisenberg-award-for-career-achievement-in-research/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/amy-justice-receives-2025-john-m-eisenberg-award-for-career-achievement-in-research/ Amy C. Justice, MD, PhD, C.N.H. Long Professor of Medicine (General Medicine) at Yale School of Medicine, professor of public health (health policy) at the Yale School of Public Health, and staff physician at the West Haven VA Medical Center, received the 2025 John M. Eisenberg National Award for Career Achievement in Research from the Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM). Thu, 15 May 2025 17:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/emma-biegacki-and-denise-brennan-receive-service-excellence-awards/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/emma-biegacki-and-denise-brennan-receive-service-excellence-awards/ Emma Biegacki, MPH, program manager in the Section of General Internal Medicine, and Denise Brennan, medical coordinator in Medical Education, were honored with the 2025 Department of Internal Medicine Service Excellence Award at the Internal Medicine Staff Town Hall on April 30, 2025. Thu, 01 May 2025 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/meet-yale-internal-medicine-basile-njei/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/meet-yale-internal-medicine-basile-njei/ Meet Basile Njei, MD, MPH, PhD, assistant professor of medicine (digestive diseases). Njei is combining genetics and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve clinical outcomes, detect liver disease, and identify genetic and clinical predictors of liver disease. Njei is currently the co-director of the International Medicine Program in the Section of Digestive Diseases, through which he collaborates with the U.S. embassy in Cameroon to improve medical education and integrate AI into health care in Africa. Thu, 06 Mar 2025 05:00:00 Z https://www.newsweek.com/fentanyl-overdoses-remain-high-harm-reduction-solution-1995993 https://www.newsweek.com/fentanyl-overdoses-remain-high-harm-reduction-solution-1995993 Fentanyl drives overdose deaths despite harm reduction—expert debate broader implications. Thu, 05 Dec 2024 05:00:00 Z https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/fentanyl-overdoses-remain-high-is-harm-reduction-the-solution/ar-AA1vlccd?ocid=Peregrine https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/fentanyl-overdoses-remain-high-is-harm-reduction-the-solution/ar-AA1vlccd?ocid=Peregrine Rather than failing, harm reduction strategies, as articulated by Fiellin and colleagues in the New England Journal of Medicine is generating real benefits to patients and society. Thu, 05 Dec 2024 05:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/pain-management-collaboratory-coordinating-center-receives-grant-to-continue-research/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/pain-management-collaboratory-coordinating-center-receives-grant-to-continue-research/ The Pain Management Collaboratory Coordinating Center, a Yale-based research center that supports 16 large-scale pragmatic clinical trials of non-drug approaches to managing pain, has been awarded a funding extension to continue its work for six years. Mon, 02 Dec 2024 05:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/why-do-so-few-us-psych-hospitals-use-medications-for-opioid-use-disorder/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/why-do-so-few-us-psych-hospitals-use-medications-for-opioid-use-disorder/ A nationwide survey of U.S. psychiatric hospitals shows that fewer than 50% offer buprenorphine, methadone, and/or naltrexone, lifesaving medications that can treat opioid use disorder. Thu, 14 Nov 2024 05:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/liver-cancer-screening-new-tool-improved-detection/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/liver-cancer-screening-new-tool-improved-detection/ Hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer, is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Screening efforts for this cancer focus on individuals diagnosed with viral hepatitis or those known to have irreversible liver scarring, or cirrhosis. Due in part to increasing rates of obesity, another major risk factor is emerging, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), but factors associated with MASLD are not included in current screening practices. In response, researchers at Yale have developed and validated a new risk score for hepatocellular carcinoma that considers these factors. Their work, “Risk Score for Hepatocellular Cancer in Adults Without Viral Hepatitis or Cirrhosis” was published on November 6, 2024, in JAMA Network Open. Fri, 08 Nov 2024 05:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/patterns-of-intimate-partner-violence-among-veterans-a-latent-class-analysis/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/patterns-of-intimate-partner-violence-among-veterans-a-latent-class-analysis/ A research team led by lead author Galina A. Portnoy, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry, found that bidirectional intimate partner violence was the most common relationship violence pattern, with no differences in gender between who experienced and used violence in the relationship. Wed, 16 Oct 2024 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/thyroid-cancer-diagnoses-declined-significantly-during-covid-19-pandemic/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/thyroid-cancer-diagnoses-declined-significantly-during-covid-19-pandemic/ A new multi-institutional study has found there was a dramatic decline in thyroid cancer diagnoses during the COVID-19 pandemic, raising concerns about a potential wave of more advanced cancer cases in the future. Mon, 14 Oct 2024 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/nih-awards-dollar15m-grant-to-improve-factuality-correctness-in-large-language-models-in-healthcare/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/nih-awards-dollar15m-grant-to-improve-factuality-correctness-in-large-language-models-in-healthcare/ Funded by the National Library of Medicine, the project aims to improve the reliability of AI-generated responses in medical applications, ensuring more accurate and trustworthy information to support better health care decisions. Wed, 02 Oct 2024 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/yale-conference-for-alcohol-research-and-education-2024-call-for-abstracts/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/yale-conference-for-alcohol-research-and-education-2024-call-for-abstracts/ The Yale Conference for Alcohol Research and Education (YCARE) 2024 will take place on Saturday, October 19, 2024. The event is a dynamic day of learning, interaction, and collaboration focused on the theme of alcohol research. This year’s in-person event will feature podium talks, breakout sessions, a panel discussion, poster presentations, and more avenues to learn from and network with colleagues. Mon, 23 Sep 2024 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/enhanced/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/enhanced/ Yale School of Medicine's Master of Health Science Degree Program begins first year under its enhanced, centralized structure. Mon, 29 Jul 2024 04:00:00 Z https://news.yale.edu/2024/07/08/seven-day-buprenorphine-safe-those-minimal-opioid-withdrawal https://news.yale.edu/2024/07/08/seven-day-buprenorphine-safe-those-minimal-opioid-withdrawal An extended-release version of buprenorphine, a treatment for opioid use disorder, can be used earlier than other medication. Mon, 08 Jul 2024 11:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/liana-pyrdol-research-assistant-general-internal-medicine/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/liana-pyrdol-research-assistant-general-internal-medicine/ Meet Liana Pyrdol, who works as a research assistant in the Veterans Aging Cohort Study. Tue, 18 Jun 2024 12:30:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/sandy-alfano-retires/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/sandy-alfano-retires/ Sandra Alfano, PharmD, research scientist (general internal medicine), Yale School of Medicine (YSM), and senior research analyst, Conflict of Interest Committee, Yale University, will retire in June. Thu, 23 May 2024 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/leeds-receives-va-research-award-to-study-housing-instability-and-surgical-outcomes/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/leeds-receives-va-research-award-to-study-housing-instability-and-surgical-outcomes/ Ira Leeds, MD, FACS, FASCRS, recently received an Association of VA Surgeons (AVAS) Faculty Research Award to study the relationship between housing instability and surgical outcomes using AI methods. Tue, 21 May 2024 13:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/yale-program-in-addiction-medicine-advises-state-on-drug-company-settlement-spending/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/yale-program-in-addiction-medicine-advises-state-on-drug-company-settlement-spending/ The majority of the estimated $206 billion resulting from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement have not gone to address smoking or public health. Following a similar settlement of a multi-state litigation, the state of Connecticut is expecting around $600 million to address the state’s opioid overdose crisis, which resulted in 1,340 overdose deaths in 2023 alone. To avoid the experience of the Tobacco funds, Yale faculty are proactively providing recommendations on how to spend these funds. Tue, 30 Apr 2024 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/excess-deaths-covid-19-pandemic/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/excess-deaths-covid-19-pandemic/ Most analyses regarding the excess risk of death during the COVID-19 pandemic have relied on summary data. However, a recent study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology instead analyzed individual patient-level data based on medical records from the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States. Mon, 11 Mar 2024 04:00:00 Z https://www.aidsmap.com/news/mar-2024/prostate-cancer-diagnosed-later-us-men-hiv https://www.aidsmap.com/news/mar-2024/prostate-cancer-diagnosed-later-us-men-hiv Professor Keith Sigel of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, reported on a study of prostate cancer diagnoses and outcomes in the Veterans Aging Cohort Study. Using medical records and cancer registries, they compared cancer stage at diagnosis, survival after diagnosis and testing for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) prior to diagnosis in men with and without HIV. Thu, 07 Mar 2024 05:00:00 Z https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tennessee-lawyer-opioid-addiction-medication-ada-discrimination-rcna126358 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tennessee-lawyer-opioid-addiction-medication-ada-discrimination-rcna126358 Addiction treatment can mean anything from equine therapy to the peer-supported spiritual programming of 12-step recovery groups. Of the treatment options for opioid addiction, methadone and buprenorphine have the “strongest scientific evidence,” said Dr. David Fiellin, director of the Yale Program in Addiction Medicine. Sat, 02 Mar 2024 05:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/prostate-cancer-treatment-new-tool/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/prostate-cancer-treatment-new-tool/ According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cancer is a leading cause of death in the United States. Unfortunately for American men, prostate cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers. The Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) Consortium sought to give physicians and other medical professionals guidance on how to determine treatment in patients with prostate cancer. Wed, 17 Jan 2024 05:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/vayale-researchers-lead-multi-ancestry-study-of-genetics-of-problematic-alcohol-use/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/vayale-researchers-lead-multi-ancestry-study-of-genetics-of-problematic-alcohol-use/ A study led by VA Connecticut Healthcare Center/Yale researchers reveals ancestries around the world possess a shared genetic architecture for problematic alcohol use – habitual heavy drinking, accompanied by harmful consequences. Hang Zhou, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry and of biomedical informatics data science at Yale School of Medicine and VA Connecticut, and Joel Gelernter, MD, Foundations Fund Professor of Psychiatry, and professor of genetics and of neuroscience at Yale School of Medicine and VA Connecticut, were first and senior authors, respectively. Thu, 07 Dec 2023 05:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/alcohol-research-conference-fosters-collaboration-across-specialties/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/alcohol-research-conference-fosters-collaboration-across-specialties/ Now in its second year, the Yale Conference for Alcohol Research and Education (YCARE) was held on September 30, 2023. Offering a comprehensive agenda of talks, panel discussions, and poster presentations, the all-day event brought together Yale's researchers, clinicians, and other stakeholders under the banner of alcohol research. Bubu Banini, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine (digestive diseases), Yale School of Medicine (YSM), spearheaded the conference, along with co-directors David Fiellin, MD, professor of medicine (general medicine) and emergency medicine, YSM, and public health, Yale School of Public Health; Graeme Mason, PhD, professor of radiology and biomedical imaging and of psychiatry, YSM; and Sherry McKee, PhD, professor of psychiatry, YSM. Tue, 07 Nov 2023 05:00:00 Z https://blogs.jwatch.org/hiv-id-observations/index.php/hiv-research-highlights-from-idweek-2023/2023/10/31/ https://blogs.jwatch.org/hiv-id-observations/index.php/hiv-research-highlights-from-idweek-2023/2023/10/31/ HIV Research Highlights from IDWeek 2023 featuring VACS research by Rachel Denyer and Jan Tate: Hepatitis B reactivation in PWH who have isolated hepatitis B core antibody and switched to non-hepatitis B-active ART is uncommon, but does occur. Tue, 31 Oct 2023 04:00:00 Z https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/10/health/hiv-aging-statins.html https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/10/health/hiv-aging-statins.html A recent study showed that a statin drug significantly lowered the risk of heart attacks and strokes among middle-aged and older people with the virus, featuring YSM's Amy Justice. Mon, 11 Sep 2023 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/excess-medications-and-alcohol-misuse-by-people-with-hiv-increase-risk-of-delirium/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/excess-medications-and-alcohol-misuse-by-people-with-hiv-increase-risk-of-delirium/ A Yale study shows that older people with HIV are at greater risk for delirium than people who are HIV negative if they take multiple medications or consume too much alcohol. Tue, 14 Feb 2023 04:00:00 Z https://irp.nida.nih.gov/featured-paper-february-2023/ https://irp.nida.nih.gov/featured-paper-february-2023/ NIDA Featured Paper of the Month, featuring VACS research conducted by Christopher Rentsch Thu, 02 Feb 2023 05:00:00 Z https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2022/09/heart-medication-shows-potential-as-treatment-for-alcohol-use-disorder https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2022/09/heart-medication-shows-potential-as-treatment-for-alcohol-use-disorder A medication for heart problems and high blood pressure may also be effective for treating alcohol use disorder. Tue, 20 Sep 2022 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/amy-justice-awarded-2022-william-s-middleton-award-the-va-biomedical-laboratory-research-development-services-highest-honor-for-outstanding-achievement-in-biomedical-research/ https://medicine.yale.edu/internal-medicine/vacs/news-article/amy-justice-awarded-2022-william-s-middleton-award-the-va-biomedical-laboratory-research-development-services-highest-honor-for-outstanding-achievement-in-biomedical-research/ First, and on behalf of VHA and the Biomedical Laboratory Research Development Service (BLRD) in the Office of Research and Development, Dr. Amy Justice was recently named as a recipient of the 2022 William S. Middleton Award. Thu, 01 Sep 2022 04:00:00 Z