The COVID-19 pandemic created demand for a rapid vaccination program without precedence in American history. It also placed considerable responsibility on federal agencies, particularly the Department of Veterans Affairs, which provides full-scale health care to over 9 million enrolled veterans nationwide. Deputy Chief Consultant for Preventive Medicine Dr. Sophia Califano breaks down how VA met this challenge, the communication strategies at play, as well as how the agency served the population outside of its health system.

With people of minority background and those with obesity and diabetes most at risk for severe cases of COVID-19, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases is leading in the research behind why that is. Director Dr. Griffin Rodgers, who contributed to the first effective therapy for sickle cell anemia, updates HealthCast on the institute's work to lessen the effects of COVID-19 on its research community, as well as other top research and data initiatives at the institution.

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death for African Americans, and there are a number of environmental and genetic factors behind it. The Jackson Heart Study has been ongoing for over 20 years to understand why, and we talk to one of its principal investigators at Tougaloo College, Dr. Wendy White, to understand how it's helping build trust between the U.S. medical establishment and African American communities.

There are many racial disparities in American medical research and health care, but HBCUs play a critical role in bridging those divides. Dr. Cynthia Warrick, president of Stillman College, and also a pharmacist and health services researcher by trade, highlights how her academic institution is uplifting students and faculty to expand biomedical programs and research impacting the public health care sector.

50 years ago, President Richard Nixon signed the National Cancer Act into law. But what was the state of cancer in America like before the act, and how has the fight against cancer generally changed since the act passed? We spoke with NCI Director Dr. Ned Sharpless to talk about the work NCI has done since the passage of the act as the first part of our six-part miniseries this year in commemoration of the National Cancer Act's 50th Anniversary. Stay tuned for the rest of the series, which will release bimonthly throughout the rest of the year.

Peek into HealthCast's special six-episode series with the National Cancer Institute to honor the 50th anniversary of the National Cancer Act. This introductory episode includes an overview of the legislation’s impact from NCI Director Dr. Ned Sharpless. Episodes will release bimonthly and will include perspectives from health and research officials from NCI and beyond.

The isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for all Americans, no less so for veterans seeking treatment for mental health and PTSD recovery. Hear from Dr. Christina Armstrong, clinical psychologist at the VA Office of Connected Care, on how the agency has worked to increase the availability and access to remote counseling and mental telehealth over the past year.

This special three-part episode recognizes Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Researchers from the National Eating Disorders Association and National Institute of Mental Health are pioneering treatments for mental illnesses and eating disorders to uplift underrepresented affected communities and personalize care. This includes demystifying the diseases, identifying future opportunities with data analysis and wearable technologies, and discussing recent advancements amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 vaccine is here, and people are seeking to get it. Fraudsters are taking advantage of this moment and are scamming people into fake vaccination signups, pilfering money and identity information. HHS OIG Special Agent in Charge Nenette Day tells us about how her organization is navigating upticks in fraud and how to protect yourself from it.

The Defense Innovation Unit connects industry and the Defense Department, acting as an acquisition accelerator of innovation and commercial technology to military customers. DIU Human Systems Portfolio Director Christian Whitchurch shares some of his projects in the medical and COVID-19 spaces and how his relationship with industry and DOD customers is unique for innovating new ways of looking at procurement in the federal space.