# Highlights

## Veterans Health Administration

September 15, 2003

**VITAMIN C MAY PROTECT AGAINST ULCER-CAUSING BACTERIA**

A recent VA study has found that low levels of vitamin C are associated
with infection by *Helicobacter pylori*, the bacteria that can cause
peptic ulcers and stomach cancer. It is the largest study to look at the
relationship between vitamin C levels and infection by *H. pylori*.
Researchers utilized data and blood samples collected from a random
sample of nearly 7,000 American adults by the National Center for Health
Statistics and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

> From the available data, researchers cannot determine whether or not
> vitamin C might prevent initial infection by *H. pylori*, which often
> happens during childhood, Neither do the data shed light on the
> mechanism for the association between vitamin C and bacterial
> infection they observe. It is not certain if the infection lowers
> blood levels of vitamin C or if higher blood levels protect against
> infection. However, some studies using animal models suggest that
> adequate vitamin C intake may reduce infection with these types of
> bacteria. Even if infection itself lowers blood levels of vitamin C,
> it would still be prudent for people who test positive for *H. pylori*
> infection to increase their intake of vitamin C. "The bottom line is
> that higher levels of vitamin C may have the potential to prevent
> peptic ulcers and stomach cancer.
>
> The study was published in the August 1 issue of the *Journal of the
> American College of Nutrition.*
>
> **VA ROLLS OUT THE NATIONAL HOSPICE-VETERAN PARTNERSHIP (HVP)
> PROGRAM**
>
> The purpose of the National Hospice-Veteran Partnership (HVP) Program
> is to strengthen relationships between community hospices and VA
> providers and educate veterans and their caregivers about end-of-life
> care options. HVP are statewide or community-based partnerships
> dedicated to increasing veterans' access to hospice and palliative
> care. Attached are fact sheets that provide additional information
> about the National HVP Program and the VA Hospice and Palliative.
>
> A toolkit to help HVPs get started has been created and will be
> introduced at the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization\'s
> (NHPCO) Management and Leadership Conference, being held September 6 -
> 9 in Phoenix, Arizona. The toolkit was produced by Rallying Points in
> collaboration with the VA Hospice and Palliative Care Initiative.
> Rallying Points is a project of Last Acts, a Robert Wood Johnson
> Foundation national program. A flyer announcing the coming of the
> toolkit will be distributed at NHPCO\'s conference.
>
> The HVP toolkit was designed to encourage new HVPs and strengthen
> existing partnerships. At this point there are probably about a dozen
> or so HVPs in various stages of development and more are interested in
> getting started. Rallying Points has committed some resources this
> next year to ensure that end-of-life community coalitions have the
> information and help they need to participate in this national
> program, including wide distribution of the HVP toolkit. I would be
> happy to forward to you a copy of the toolkit as soon as it is
> available.
>
> A good example of what HVPs are doing is the Hospice-Veteran
> Partnership of Florida (HVPF), the first HVP formed in the country. It
> boasts a membership of representatives from community hospice
> providers, VA facilities, end-of-life community coalitions, VSOs, and
> other organizations interested in improving access to end-of-life care
> for our nation\'s veterans. HVPF has designated November to honor
> veterans - November is also National Hospice Month and, of course,
> Veterans\' Day is in November. They have prepared a toolkit full of
> ideas and resources that local hospices and communities can use to
> express gratitude and recognition to veterans. Along with the toolkit
> they designed a special lapel pin that will be distributed throughout
> the state.