There is a bidirectional relationship between cancer and aging. The risk of developing cancer increases as we age, and research shows that cancer and some cancer treatments can accelerate aging. However, earlier detection and targeted therapies are making a difference. Paige Green, chief of the Basic Biobehavioral and Psychological Science Branch, explains that other factors such as psychosocial wellbeing also play a role in the aging process. Green and her colleagues at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) are taking a holistic approach to studying cancer and aging to help survivors lead longer, healthier lives.

The CDC’s Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics established in 2021 has officially kicked into gear. Dylan George, the center’s director, said his office is on a mission to increase data use in public health efforts for infectious disease threats. Now it’s eyeing new technological capacities and partnerships to further equitable applications of the data to serve all Americans.

Over the summer, the Senate confirmed Dr. Shereef Elnahal as the Department of Veterans Affairs Undersecretary for Health, the first formally confirmed VHA undersecretary to serve in the role since 2017. Elnahal tells us about his career in health policy and veterans health care, his goals as VA’s chief health official and his insights on the agency’s next steps for its health care modernization and medical innovation programs.

The use of telehealth has accelerated across the health care landscape, including in treating cancer. But this digital delivery model comes with pros and cons, and more research is needed to determine how to best integrate it. The National Cancer Institute (NCI)'s Robin Vanderpool, who leads health communication and informatics research, highlights the four Telehealth Research Centers of Excellence (TRACE) that aim to help understand and improve telehealth for cancer care delivery.

VA has been overseeing some of America's most compelling research into both the origins of traumatic brain injury as well as its long-term outcomes. Career research scientist Dr. Mary Jo Pugh describes how the agency is using newfound capacities in artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide better outcomes for veterans with a complex and often difficult condition.

NCI has one of the largest Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs in the United States, with $26.1 billion in economic output. NCI’s SBIR center takes a holistic approach to supporting small businesses, including businesses owned by underrepresented groups. SBIR provides mentorship, training, networks and funding opportunities for businesses that are developing transformative cancer care technologies.

With the passage of the PACT Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs is now able to offer an expanded scope of health care for veterans who have suffered health consequences due to exposure to harmful substances during their deployments. VA leaders Dr. Steven Lieberman and Dr. Patricia Hastings explain how VA is working to use these new resources to fulfill its duty to care for and serve America's veterans.

This episode includes support from Maximus.

COVID-19 created numerous workforce challenges for the health sector, including staffing shortages and burnout. Antiquated pen-and-paper processes can burden health workers and worsen patient care and health outcomes. Digitization strategies built on a firm data management foundation can help solve these problems by reducing busywork and streamlining rote tasks. This episode is sponsored by Issio Solutions.

In late August, ONC and HRSA announced a new USCDI+ collaboration to support HRSA’s Uniform Data System reporting through the UDS Modernization Initiative. The agencies are aligning the UDS with interoperability standards and transitioning to patient-level reporting requirements with USCDI and other quality reporting efforts. The initiative will help advance health equity and drive data-driven decision-making by streamlining operations and making health systems interoperable.

The term "cancer survivor" refers to any person who has had a cancer diagnosis, and this population is growing. As of January 2022, it is estimated that there are 18.1 million cancer survivors in the U.S. — approximately 5% of the population. This number is expected to increase to 26 million by 2040 due to the aging population, better detection strategies, more effective cancer treatments and improved supportive care. Dr. Emily Tonorezos, director of the Office of Cancer Survivorship at the National Cancer Institute, discusses the research her office is facilitating to help address the needs of this community.