Hope is on the horizon with vaccination news and the beginning of a new year. But COVID-19 cases and deaths in the U.S. are on the rise. This means we all must continue to take steps to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This is true even after people eventually get vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Do you have acute or chronic low back pain? If the answer is yes, you aren’t alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, low back pain is the most common type of pain reported by patients. You can take preventive steps and manage low back pain safely and effectively. As of Jan. 1, 2021, if you need physical therapy for your low back pain, the Defense Health Agency established a demonstration. With the demonstration, TRICARE will waive cost-shares for qualified beneficiaries for up to three physical therapy sessions in 10 states.

Adults age 75 and older should now receive the COVID-19 vaccine, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Department of Defense (DoD) and the Military Health System are now making the vaccine available to the 1.13 million beneficiaries who are age 75 or older. These beneficiaries use the TRICARE For Life health plan.

Weight gain around the holiday season is common. However, this year’s ongoing social distancing restrictions due to COVID-19 could present new challenges for those trying to stay in shape.

Naval Hospital (NH) Jacksonville is among the first wave of Department of Defense (DoD) hospitals to receive COVID-19 vaccines. NH Jacksonville received an initial supply on Dec. 15, and vaccinations started on Dec. 16.

Naval Hospital (NH) Jacksonville pharmacy staff were recognized for their outstanding accomplishments during the Joint Federal Pharmacy Seminar’s (JFPS) annual Navy pharmacy virtual awards ceremony on Nov. 13.

Naval Hospital (NH) Jacksonville and North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System (NF/SGVHS) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have partnered, to provide inpatient care to veterans at NH Jacksonville.

Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Jacksonville and its five units (NMRTUs), Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Jacksonville, Operational Health Support Unit Jacksonville Headquarters, and 16 of Operational Health Support Unit (OHSU) Jacksonville’s detachments have earned the Navy Surgeon General's Health Promotion and Wellness Blue H Award for 2019.