Health
FDA, Veterans Health Administration Collaborate to Help Accelerate Medical Device Innovation and Advancement of Care
FDA and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) are announcing a collaboration intended to help accelerate American medical device innovation to further improve and benefit public health.
Last Updated on May 21, 2024 by Daily News Staff
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) are announcing a collaboration intended to help accelerate American medical device innovation to further improve and benefit public health. Veteran Affairs’ VA Ventures Innovation Institute, located in Seattle, will host up to 12 FDA staff to foster robust collaborations between the two agencies. The FDA staff will focus on the regulatory science — the science for evaluating the benefits and risks of new products — while VA staff will provide clinical context for test development and provide hands-on training and other immersive experiences for innovators wishing to utilize the tools.
Together, the organizations will work toward developing and disseminating new tools designed to test the safety and effectiveness of medical devices and emerging technologies. These “off-the-shelf” testing tools will provide innovators with straightforward, reproducible and cost-effective testing methods throughout the product development cycle. Providing standardized tests can help streamline the regulatory evaluation process, accelerating the time it takes for products to reach patients by increasing predictability in the product development process. This effort may also reduce risks for early innovators that might not have access to more elaborate testing systems.
“Both the FDA and VA need to stay at the forefront of new medical technology development, and the science of evaluating new technology. This strategic alignment between our organizations creates a unique environment to achieve shared objectives for accelerating patient access to safe, innovative and effective medical devices,” said Jeff Shuren, M.D., J.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “We are eager to gain valuable insight from VHA clinicians and scientists using a real-world perspective, and we look forward to working with our federal colleagues to help ensure Veterans and all Americans have access to the most innovative medical solutions and technologies to improve their health and quality of life.”
“By working side by side, VA and FDA will leverage our combined strengths and expertise to bring the most promising health care technology innovations to Veterans – and Americans at large – faster than ever before,” said Dr. Shereef Elnahal, VA’s Under Secretary for Health. “Additionally, the co-location in Seattle will allow us to tap into important health care-adjacent technology markets. We look forward to working closely with the FDA to improve the health and wellness of Veterans and all Americans.”
Collaborative efforts between the VHA and FDA will initially focus on interoperable systems which can exchange health information automatically for the diagnosis and treatment of patients. An increasing number of medical devices, such as ventilators and fluid resuscitation systems, will be controlled autonomously based on inputs from a variety of sensors. Ensuring appropriate function of both the sensors and the systems is a vital goal for this emerging and exciting area. Future areas of the collaboration will include the development of test methods for devices that can be used at a distance through, for example, 5G networks. These devices have the potential to enhance medical treatment for patients in remote and underserved populations.
The partnership between the VA Ventures Innovation Institute and the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health will afford a valuable opportunity which can lead to lower-cost medical advances and improve technologies and capabilities required for equitable healthcare. The VHA and the FDA look forward to strengthening each agency’s joint commitment to advancing and promoting high-quality healthcare.
Source: FDA
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Food and Beverage
Fresh Thinking About Frozen: Bring Quality Meals to the Table While Cutting Food Waste and Stretching Your Budget
For many families, the freezer is for last-minute meal options. However, new federal nutrition guidance and growing scientific consensus reveal a different reality: frozen foods can be the starting point for healthy eating, not a backup plan.
Last Updated on February 21, 2026 by Daily News Staff
(Feature Impact) The key to easy preparation of high-quality meals, wasting less food and saving money may already be sitting in your kitchen.
For many families, the freezer is for last-minute meal options. However, new federal nutrition guidance and growing scientific consensus reveal a different reality: frozen foods can be the starting point for healthy eating, not a backup plan. That’s why the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) is launching “Fresh Thinking About Frozen,” a campaign to help families discover these benefits of frozen foods.
Making Nutrition Achievable
The recently released 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the nation’s top nutrition advice, emphasizes portion control and nutrient-dense foods. Frozen options deliver on both counts.
Families who keep frozen produce on hand tend to eat more fruits and vegetables overall. Pre-portioned frozen meals also help people eat what they need without overdoing it. Plus, the convenience factor matters: frozen berries are ready for a morning smoothie, pre-cut frozen vegetables can be added to tonight’s stir-fry and a balanced frozen meal can be quickly paired with a salad.
That isn’t cutting corners. It’s being smart on how best to feed a family well.
Freezing Hits the Pause Button on Fresh Foods
Freezing food only changes a food’s temperature, not its nutrition. Freezing keeps food close to its original state without requiring additives.
Produce begins to lose nutritional value right after it’s harvested. Freezing fruits and vegetables hours after harvest pauses nutrient degradation and locks in the vitamins and minerals, so the food remains farm fresh even as it travels across the country to your grocery store. Frozen meals are similarly made with real ingredients and turned into just-cooked recipes then frozen for families to eat when they’re ready.
The nutrition community understands this. A recent survey conducted by AFFI found 94% of registered dietitians agree frozen fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious as their fresh counterparts. Another 92% said frozen foods offer a variety of nutritious meal offerings. These findings are central to the “Fresh Thinking About Frozen” message: Frozen is not second-best. It’s simply smart.
Solving the Food Waste Problem
Nearly 40% of food in the United States gets thrown away, according to the nonprofit ReFED. That translates to roughly $1,500 per year per household, straight into the trash along with unused produce and forgotten leftovers.
Frozen helps fix that problem. Eight in 10 consumers agree buying frozen helps reduce food waste at home, AFFI research finds. The reason is simple: You use what you need, when you need it and the rest stays perfectly preserved. No more dreading the refrigerator cleanouts and feeling guilty over the uneaten food going into the trashcan.
Time for Fresh Thinking
Families already making this shift aren’t settling for less. They’re strategic about nutrition, budget and time. They integrate the freezer into regular meal planning. They feel confident about providing quality foods that are simply frozen.
The freezer isn’t a place of last resort. It’s a tool for eating well in real life. Visit frozenadvantage.org/FTAF for tips, recipes and resources to make the most of your freezer.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
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American Frozen Food Institute
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health and wellness
Stacking Healthy Habits for Progress, Not Perfection
Healthy Habits: Many struggle with building healthier habits due to unrealistic expectations rather than lack of motivation. The American Heart Association’s My Life Check tool offers personalized heart health insights, helping to set attainable goals. Simple lifestyle changes—focused on nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress management—can gradually lead to significant health improvements.
(Feature Impact) Despite the best of intentions, it’s common for plans to build healthier habits to fall flat. Often, the culprit isn’t a lack of motivation or discipline; rather, it’s unrealistic expectations.
Overhauling your lifestyle requires a level of commitment that isn’t always practical. Understanding your personal health needs and the challenges you need to overcome can help give you a more realistic roadmap toward better health.
Tools to Guide You
Every plan needs a starting point and there are many reputable sources that can help guide you toward a plan that addresses your personal health needs.
For example, the American Heart Association introduced My Life Check, a simple, free tool to help individuals understand their heart health and what’s driving it. Users answer simple questions about their daily habits and health factors to get a personalized Heart Health Score in minutes.
The results are private and downloadable, giving you full control of your information. The tool turns big goals into small, specific actions you can start right away. Knowing your numbers relative to your heart health (and where you are in comparison to target ranges for optimal health) can help you decide how to build a better map to get you where you want to be.
While the report is customized to each individual, no personal data is stored and answers are only used to calculate health scores and provide personalized recommendations and practical steps to improve your health, so you can use your results to focus on what matters most to you. Every small step you take, such as moving more, eating smarter, sleeping better or managing stress, can add up over time.
Finding Your Path
Once you’re armed with data and know where you stand on your heart health numbers, small steps become clearer and more manageable. That knowledge makes it easier to choose one area to focus on, such as getting more sleep, taking daily walks or adding more color to your meals.
Healthy changes don’t need to be expensive or complicated. The best habits are ones that fit real life when every action you take moves you closer to your goals.
Eat Smart
Choose foods that help you feel your best, one meal at a time. Add more color to your plate and focus on balance, not restriction. Simple, affordable swaps can make a real difference.
Move More
Find movement that fits your life, such as a walk, a stretch or dancing while you cook. Every bit of activity counts and it all supports your heart and mind. Move for joy, not just for results.
Sleep Well
Rest is a foundation of good health, not a reward. Protect your bedtime routine and give your body the recovery it deserves. Notice how good sleep makes everything else easier.
Manage Stress
Check in with yourself regularly, both mentally and emotionally. Create simple moments to pause, breathe, laugh or step outside. Connection, kindness and calm all support a healthy heart.
Staying motivated and on track is also easier when you can check back in, see your progress and realize the steps you’re taking are making an impact. Checking in every few months to see how you can grow gives you the chance to celebrate your progress, learn from challenges and keep building lasting habits that feel good.
To get started with personalized tips to set your own health goals, visit heart.org/mylifecheck.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
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health and wellness
Study Links Agent Orange Exposure to Higher Risk of Rare Melanoma
A study revealed that U.S. veterans exposed to Agent Orange are at increased risk of developing acral melanoma, a rare skin cancer located in areas not typically exposed to sunlight. With higher odds of diagnosis and poorer prognosis, early detection in veterans is vital for effective treatment and improved outcomes.
(Feature Impact) A new study found U.S. veterans exposed to Agent Orange face a higher risk of developing a rare and often overlooked form of melanoma that appears on the hands and feet, and under the nails.
Researchers reported in “JAMA Dermatology” that veterans with documented exposure to the herbicide had significantly higher odds of developing acral melanoma, a subtype of skin cancer that forms on the palms, soles and nail beds.
Unlike most melanomas, which are associated with ultraviolet radiation, acral melanoma develops in areas not typically exposed to the sun. It can resemble a bruise under a toenail or a dark patch on the bottom of a foot – locations that are easily missed and not commonly associated with skin cancer.
Because of its unusual appearance and location, acral melanoma is often diagnosed at later stages, when treatment is more difficult and survival rates are lower.
The researchers analyzed 20 years of Veterans Health Administration data, comparing more than 1,200 veterans diagnosed with acral melanoma with more than 5,000 veterans without melanoma. Veterans exposed to Agent Orange had about 30% higher odds of developing the disease.
The findings suggest Agent Orange may be an underrecognized risk factor for acral melanoma, particularly for veterans who may not view themselves as at risk for skin cancer because of limited sun exposure or darker skin tones.
“Identifying exposures that may increase risk can help inform earlier recognition and, ultimately, earlier diagnosis when treatment is most effective,” said Marc Hurlbert, chief executive officer of the Melanoma Research Alliance and a principal investigator on the study.
Senior author Dr. Rebecca I. Hartman of Brigham and Women’s Hospital said acral melanoma behaves differently from other melanomas and often responds less well to current therapies.
“Acral melanoma has a poorer prognosis than the more common cutaneous melanoma because it is often diagnosed at later stages,” Hartman said. “Identifying risk factors is critical to improving detection and outcomes.”
Agent Orange was used extensively during the Vietnam War and exposure has been linked to several cancers and chronic illnesses. These findings add to evidence the herbicide may also affect the skin in ways not reflected in traditional melanoma awareness efforts.
Acral melanoma has also been associated with sex, race and ethnicity, and prior skin lesions. Researchers said the study supports treating the disease as distinct from sun-driven melanomas that dominate public education campaigns.
For veterans, the research highlights the importance of examining less visible areas of the body, including the bottoms of the feet, between the toes and under the nails. Changes in nail color, dark streaks or unexplained spots on the palms or soles should be evaluated by a health care provider, especially for those with known Agent Orange exposure.
Researchers said the findings could help guide future screening strategies for higher-risk populations and encourage further study of why acral melanoma differs biologically from other skin cancers.
Find more information at curemelanoma.org.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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