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VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System top stories.

‘It’s Amazing’: How the Ancient Art of Acupuncture is Making Waves at West LA VA

When it comes to the ancient Chinese art of acupuncture, all that’s old is new again. Since his hiring three years ago, Dr. Jeremiah Krieger, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS), has been embracing the time-honored practice and using it to treat Veterans’ pain, PTSD, and more.

A man lying down with acupuncture needles in his ear.

Putting the Prevention in Suicide Prevention with Recreation Therapy

Sports and leisure recreation therapies help prevent suicide by reducing stress, connecting Veterans with other Veterans and with resources at VA and in the community. Recreation therapy also provides a physically and emotionally safe environment for them to work on their mind and body and get help.

Veterans Pasqual Ramirez and Roger Reitan train for the National Veterans Golden Age Games.

VA Offers New Medical Weight-Loss Procedure

Obesity is a widespread condition, with an estimated 35 percent of Americans and 78 percent of Veterans being overweight or obese as of 2014. It is a risk factor for Heart Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, Stroke and some types of cancer.

Weights, a plate of vegetables and a tape measure laying on a table.

Greater LA VA Houses 1,790 Veterans in 2023, the Most of Any City in the U.S.

In greater Los Angeles, VA permanently housed 1,790 homeless Veterans in 2023 —the most of any VA in America. This was a 38% increase over last year’s total of 1,301, and 19% above VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System’s (VAGLAHS) 2023 calendar year goal of putting 1,500 heroes into homes.

Man sitting at picnic table smiling.

GLA Expands Care for Veterans Experiencing Homelessness in Downtown LA

VA’s Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team (HPACT) has upgraded and expanded in downtown LA’s Los Angeles Ambulatory Care Center (LAACC) at 351 E. Temple Street from a fourth-floor shared space to an exclusive, significantly larger area on the first floor.

Six people standing in a row, smiling.

Army Veteran Triumphs Over 45-Year Struggle, Finds Sobriety and Home at West LA VA

Army Veteran Anthony Robinson has embarked on a path of recovery, emerging from a 45-year struggle with addiction to cocaine and methamphetamines. Today, he stands with 15 months of sobriety under his belt, leaving behind the shadows of his past for a brighter future.

Man sitting and smiling.

Harmonizing Hope with the New Directions Veterans Choir

The New Directions Veterans Choir is orchestrating more than just harmonies. The members are teaching active-duty military service members and Veterans worldwide that it’s OK to not feel OK.

Four people standing and singing together in front of a piano.

5 Local National Parks Veterans Can Visit for Free

If the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles has left you longing for some time in nature, you’re in luck! Veterans are eligible for a free lifetime pass that provides access to over 2,000 federal recreation areas, including many national parks within driving distance of the L.A. area.

The sun sets at Joshua Tree National Park

VA Secretary Meets Virtually with Veterans Experiencing Homelessness at West LA VA

VA Secretary Denis McDonough met virtually with 20 Veterans experiencing homelessness at West Los Angeles VA Medical Center on Nov. 16, 2023, to directly address their concerns and gather firsthand feedback about how VA can better meet their needs.

Veterans attend a video call with the VA secretary.

San Gabriel Valley VA Clinic Honored as an Age-Friendly Health System

The Veteran population in the U.S. is growing older, and quickly. In 1970, only 7.2% of Veterans were 65 and older, but as of 2020, that number had climbed to 49%, or 8.1 million American Veterans, according to the Census Bureau.

Man and woman sitting and talking.