Stories | VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) established a multi-disciplinary Food Security Committee in October 2023, to help generate a plan to reduce the number of Veterans struggling to access enough healthy food.

VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) showed our commitment to Food Security on Wednesday, Nov. 1, as we signed the charter for the new VAGLAHS Veteran Food Security Committee.

Marine Corps Veteran George Hill rose from being homeless and struggling with addiction to becoming a valued VA employee, a passionate advocate for Veterans, a contestant on “America’s Got Talent,” performing at the 127th Rose Parade, and booking choir gigs around the country.