April 21, 2026

Unseen guests in your kitchen: A military family's guide to decrease forever chemicals like PFAS, microplastics

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Military families become highly skilled at rapid pack-out and quickly establishing new living space. Each new house becomes a home, and the kitchen is its heart. But what if some of the most common, durable items in that kitchen are introducing unseen guests to your family's table? We're talking about microplastics and a class of chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. These substances are widespread, but with a little know-how, you can significantly reduce your family's exposure and make your kitchen an even safer haven.

April 8, 2026

Betting your future: Is gambling a threat to your career and well-being?

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — When a service member is struggling, the signs can often point to familiar stressors like anxiety, depression, or sleep problems. But according to military mental health experts, these symptoms can mask a deeper, often hidden issue: problem gambling. As access to online betting and new, unregulated prediction markets grows, this quiet threat poses a direct risk to the financial stability, mental health, and overall readiness of the force — prompting the Department of War to take a closer look. 

March 31, 2026

Train your thoughts: JBA fosters mental resiliency with MindGym

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. — Completing mission after mission can be stressful for a lot of military members. The military mission requires not only physical readiness and training, but also mental – an aspect that can be more challenge for service members to train on their own. That’s where the Lumena MindGym comes in. 

March 27, 2026

Know your exposure story: military to provide access to individual occupational and environmental exposure records

UNITED STATES — In a significant move toward greater transparency and health care empowerment, the Military Health System is urging service members to "Know Your Exposure Story." Starting March 23, 2026, U.S. service members and civilian employee personnel have direct access to their career-long environmental and occupational exposure data.

March 4, 2026

Commentary: National Nutrition Month provides opportunity to focus on how nutrition impacts performance, mission readiness

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — From basic training to deployment, and from family life to retirement, good nutrition is a force multiplier.

March 4, 2026

Commentary: Fuel your spring with nutrition tips for busy military families

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — For service members, nutrition is a critical component of readiness. With a little planning, you can ensure that even on the most demanding days, you and your family are fueled by healthy, home-cooked meals this spring.

Feb. 2, 2026

CDC issues nationwide Health Advisory on New World screwworm

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a nationwide Health Alert Network Health Advisory on Jan. 20 to share information about the New World screwworm, or NWS, and the recent increase in animal cases in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, which shares a border with Texas. Although no NWS infestations have been identified in people or animals in the U.S., there is potential for geographic spread. The advisory issued by the CDC is intended to increase awareness of the expanding NWS outbreak and provide recommendations to health departments and doctors in the U.S. as well as guidance for the general public.

Jan. 13, 2026

Military hospitals and clinics recognized with 5-star Care Transitions ratings

UNITED STATES — Fifteen Defense Health Agency facilities earned top marks from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for how well they prepare patients to leave the hospital, according to an analysis by Becker’s Hospital Review.

Dec. 5, 2025

DHN Central military hospitals recognized for commitment to patient safety

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Defense Health Agency announced Nov. 13 that three military hospitals from Defense Health Network Central earned Leapfrog's Top Hospital recognition for fall 2025. Bassett Army Community Hospital earned honors for a second year in a row, along with new honors for Osan Air Base's 51st Medical Group and Yokota Air Base's 374th Medical Group.

Sept. 29, 2025

Department of War extends health care supplement pilot for civilian employees in Japan

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — The Department of War today announced the extension of the Pilot Health Insurance Enhancement for DOW Civilian Employees in Japan, reaffirming the department’s commitment to improving access to medical care for its overseas workforce, and adding interpreter support.