March 1, 2010
Pentagon Criticized For How It Treats Vets But VA Praised. In
continuing coverage, the
Seattle Times (3/1) complains in an editorial that too
often, news coming out of Washington, DC, reveals poor treatment of
veterans, as was demonstrated when the Pentagon "abruptly pulled the
plug on a popular program that gave military spouses financial aid
for college tuition and professional licenses and certification."
The Times adds, however, that Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric
Shinseki "struck a different note last week, when he announced he
would reopen review of disability claims filed by Gulf War
veterans." The Times, which says the VA is also "moving quicker on
preliminary data showing dramatic increases in veterans suicides,"
is pleased that these "vital topics are getting a closer, respectful
review."
Impact:
Local editorial praising VA
efforts
"Alarming" Increase In US Army Suicides Noted. McClatchy
(3/1) notes, "Last month, the Defense Department reported
that there were 160 reported active-duty Army suicides in 2009, up
from 140 in 2008." And, while the "military's suicide rate is
comparable to civilian rates, the increase is alarming because the
armed services traditionally had lower suicide rates than the
general population." McClatchy focuses much of its coverage
on 33-year-old Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Wimmer, who committed suicide in
2009, leaving behind a family which is "still caught in the dark
currents that took his life."
Impact:
Mental health monitoring and care
for active duty Army
Dream Of A Good Slumber? Adapt To Sleep Changes. The
Seattle Times (3/1) reports, "Evidence-based
recommendations for addressing sleep disorders in older adults,
published late last year in the Journal of the American Geriatrics
Society, are the latest significant contribution to the science of
sleep in seniors." The Times adds, "'Implementing behavioral changes
is very difficult for people to do without help,' said Dr. Cathy Alessi, a sleep expert at the Veterans Administration Greater Los
Angeles Healthcare System."
Impact:
Geriatric sleep research done at
Los Angeles VAMC