According to the Wall Street Journal (8/26, Kesling, Subscription Publication), a report (pdf) from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ inspector general finds that even after an extensive hiring push, the agency still has an insufficient number of full-time psychiatrists to keep up with demand and current staff is not being used efficiently.

Related Links:

— “Report: VA Falls Short on Mental-Health Care Despite Hiring Push,” Ben Kesling, Wall Street Journal, August 25, 2015.

The AP (8/25) reported that in a report issued Aug. 25, investigators with Alzheimer’s Disease International “say there are now nearly 47 million people living with dementia globally, up from 35 million in 2009.” Those experts “warned that without a medical breakthrough, numbers will likely double every 20 years.”

According to TIME (8/25, Basu), the report also revealed that “58% of all people with dementia reside in developing countries.” In addition, by mid-century, “68% of those with dementia will be located in low and middle income countries, where services are limited and populations are aging quickly.”

Related Links:

— “Report: Nearly 47 million people now have dementia,” Chron, August 27, 2015.

The Washington Post (8/26, Sun) “To Your Health” blog reports that taking omega-3 supplements does not “slow cognitive decline,” according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study enrolled 4,000 older participants “who were at risk for developing age-related macular degeneration” in order to investigate the possible cognitive benefits of omega-3 supplements. National Eye Institute Deputy Clinical Director Elizabeth Chew and her team found that consuming these supplements had “no statistically significant effect on cognitive function.” Chew concluded, “The supplements just don’t cut it,” adding, “If people are thinking [taking them] is going to help cognitive function, it’s not going to do so among the older age group.”

Related Links:

— “Omega 3 is still good for the brain. But ‘fish oil supplements just don’t cut it.’,” Lena H. Sun, Washington Post, August 25, 2015.

The Fix (8/25, Lavitt) reports that the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) have joined forces “to address the growing epidemic of opioid abuse across the” US. Psychiatrist and AMA board chair-elect Patrice A. Harris, MD, said, “We have joined together as part of this special task force because we collectively believe that it is our responsibility to work together to provide a clear road map that will help bring an end to this public health epidemic.” In a press release, APA CEO and medical director Saul Levin, MD, stated, “The APA is honored to join our colleagues in the house of medicine in addressing this problem. We owe it to our patients to ensure they receive the proper and appropriate care.”

Related Links:

— “The AMA Join Forces With the APA to Address Opioid Epidemic,” John Lavitt, The Fix, August 24, 2015.

So far this year, the Los Angeles Times (8/22, Zamosky) reported, “there have been more than 32 health data breaches as a result of hacking, according to the U.S. Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights.” These breaches often disclose personal information including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and patients’ health records. According to the Times, “experts say” the biggest concern for affected consumers is medical identity theft. A recent study by the Ponemon Institute found that medical identity theft “affected 2.3 million adults in 2014, an increase of roughly 22% since 2013.”

Related Links:

— “Who else has accessed your medical data?,” Lisa Zamosky, Los Angeles Times, August 21, 2015.