May
2011-2012 Flu Season Draws to a Close
May 25, 2012
Today the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued the final full influenza surveillance report for the 2011-2012 season. The report – titled “FluView” – shows that influenza activity in the United States is minimal across most of the country, wrapping up a season that began late and was mild compared to most previous seasons for which surveillance data is available. In fact, the season set a new record for the lowest and shortest peak for influenza-like-illness since this type of record-keeping began.
Arthritis Awareness Month
May 21, 2012
Arthritis affects 50 million Americans and is expected to increase significantly as the population ages. Each year in May, Arthritis Awareness Month focuses national attention on the burden of arthritis and the tools and resources for better managing arthritis symptoms. Take action—don't let arthritis limit you. Being overweight is one of the strongest risk factors for osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. Routine and physical activity is recommended for people with arthritis. There are many things that you can do to live well with arthritis. Maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active are just two of them.
National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
May 14, 2012
Asthma is one of the most common lifelong chronic diseases. There are about 25 million Americans living with asthma. The disease affects the lungs, causing repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. Although asthma cannot be cured, it is possible to manage asthma successfully to reduce and prevent asthma attacks, also called episodes. Successful asthma management includes knowing the warning signs of an attack, avoiding things that may trigger an attack, and following the advice of your healthcare provider. Using what you know about managing your asthma can give you control over this chronic disease. When you control your asthma, you will breathe better, be as active as you would like, sleep well, stay out of the hospital, and be free from coughing and wheezing.
Patient Safety
May 7, 2012
You go to the hospital to get well, right? Of course, but did you know that patients can get infections in the hospital while they are being treated for something else? There are many things you can do to be a safe patient and avoid Healthcare Associated infections (HAI’s). HAIs are infections patients get while being treated for something else in a healthcare environment. HAIs are caused by a wide variety of common or unusual bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These infections can have devastating emotional, financial, and medical effects. Worst of all, they can be deadly.
Reporting on Suicide: Recommendations for the Media
May 3, 2012
The media play a powerful role in educating multiple audiences about suicide prevention by informing readers and viewers about the likely causes of suicide, warning signs, trends in suicide rates, and recent advances in prevention. These recommendations will help guide the media in educating readers and viewers about the steps that can be taken to prevent suicide.
April
Stop the Violence!
April 30, 2012
Sexual violence (SV) is any sexual act that is perpetrated against someone's will. SV encompasses a range of offenses, including a completed nonconsensual sex act (i.e., rape), an attempted nonconsensual sex act, abusive sexual contact (i.e., unwanted touching), and non-contact sexual abuse (e.g., threatened sexual violence, exhibitionism, verbal sexual harassment). All types involve victims who do not consent, or who are unable to consent or refuse to allow the act. Risk factors are associated with a greater likelihood of sexual violence (SV) perpetration. They are contributing factors and may or may not be direct causes. Not everyone who is identified as "at risk" becomes a perpetrator of violence. A combination of individual, relational, community and societal factors contribute to the risk of becoming a perpetrator of SV. Understanding these multilevel factors can help identify various opportunities for prevention.
CDC Response to Sick Passenger on Delta Plane in Chicago
April 26, 2012
CDC received a report earlier this evening of a passenger on a plane at Midway Airport who had a rash. Since the passenger had been in Africa, a family member had reported concerns that the rash might be monkeypox. The passenger was evaluated by Chicago Emergency Medical Services. Medical staff at CDC and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) reviewed the case and, based on the patient's symptoms and photographs of the rash, it does not appear that the signs and symptoms are consistent with a monkeypox infection. The ill passenger was advised to seek medical care and the rest of the passengers were released from the plane. CDC and CDPH believe there is very little risk to other passengers. However, out of an abundance of caution, the airline will be collecting contact information for other passengers should CDC need to contact them in the future.
Laos Launches Seasonal Flu Vaccination Program During World Immunization Week
Vaccine Program Results from 6-year Collaboration between CDC and Lao Ministry of Health
April 26, 2012
As the world mark's National Immunization Week, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR, or Laos), is launching a seasonal influenza vaccination program to protect adults at high risk of serious flu-related complications. The program is the product of a 6-year collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Lao Ministry of Health to develop the country’s influenza public heath capacities. CDC is helping 50 countries around the world to build influenza preparedness and prevention capacity, including implementing vaccination programs. This vaccine for the program in Laos is being provided by Walgreens this year.
Malaria threatens security of millions
April 25, 2012
Malaria, a disease spread by mosquito bites, can lead to impoverishment, disability, and death. Beyond the loss of human potential, malaria’s direct costs total more than $12 billion each year and cause substantial economic losses for entire nations. Encouragingly, inexpensive yet simple interventions can dramatically reduce malaria’s impact.
From global efforts to grass-roots mobilization, resources committed to fight malaria have increased greatly in the past decade. Hundreds of millions of life-saving insecticide-treated bed nets and effective antimalarial medicines are now available to people who need them, especially pregnant women and children under 5 years old, who are most vulnerable to malaria.
National Infant Immunization Week
April 23, 2012
Vaccines give parents the power to protect their children against 14 serious diseases before they turn 2 years old. During National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), communities across the country and around the world will highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrate the achievements of immunization programs and their partners. Since 1994, NIIW has served as a call to action for parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers to ensure that infants are fully immunized. NIIW 2012 will be April 21-28.
Progress Towards Polio Eradication
April 16, 2012
On December 2, 2011, CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH, activated CDC’s Emergency Operations Center to strengthen the agency’s partnership engagement through the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), which is committed to completing the eradication of polio. On December 14, Dr. Frieden enlisted the support of the entire CDC community to become active participants in an intensified strategy to eradicate polio worldwide. In the final push toward global polio eradication, CDC will continue its close collaboration with our partners at WHO, UNICEF, Rotary, and the Gates Foundation to ensure a coordinated global and country-level response. CDC’s partnership in this important eradication effort continues the fight to rid the world of polio that began with CDC’s polio vaccination and disease surveillance efforts in the agency’s early years and sustains the ideal of a world forever free from this deadly and crippling disease.
Newborn Screening Program
April 9, 2012
Soon after birth, all babies born in the United States are checked for certain medical conditions. This is called newborn screening. All babies are screened, even if they look healthy, because some medical conditions cannot be seen by just looking at the baby.
CDC Recommendations for Biochemical Genetic Testing and Newborn Screening for Inherited Metabolic Disorders
April 5, 2012
New recommendations to advance the quality of biochemical genetic testing and newborn screenings are published online today in CDC’s MMWR Recommendations and Reports. The guidance, entitled “Good Laboratory Practices for Biochemical Genetic Testing and Newborn Screening for Inherited Metabolic Disorders,” addresses considerations for laboratory and healthcare professionals important for achieving optimal health outcomes, reducing morbidity and mortality, and improving the public’s health when newborn screening and biochemical genetic tests are performed. These considerations include factors to consider before introducing new tests; quality management for test method validation, test performance, appropriate test result reporting and interpretation; and qualifications required of laboratory personnel who perform these tests and provide laboratory services.
National Minority Health Month
April 2, 2012
The United States has become increasingly diverse in the last century. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, approximately 36 percent of the population belongs to a racial or ethnic minority group. Though health indicators such as life expectancy and infant mortality have improved for most Americans, some minorities experience a disproportionate burden of preventable disease, death, and disability compared with non-minorities. The future health of the nation will be determined to a large extent by how effectively we work with communities to eliminate health disparities among those populations experiencing a disproportionate burden of disease, disability, and death. Persistent health disparities in our country are unacceptable and correctable. Please contact Eva De Vallescar, Health Communications Specialist for information on planned events (fts8@cdc.gov), and 770-488-8277.
March
Healthy Weight - it's not a diet, it's a lifestyle!
March 26, 2012
Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer, is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum. Colorectal cancer affects men and women of all racial and ethnic groups, and is most often found in people aged 50 years or older. In the United States, it is the third most common cancer for men and women. Of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States, but it doesn't have to be.
Healthy Weight - it's not a diet, it's a lifestyle!
March 19, 2012
When it comes to weight loss, there's no lack of fad diets promising fast results. But such diets limit your nutritional intake, can be unhealthy, and tend to fail in the long run. The key to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight isn't about short-term dietary changes. It's about a lifestyle that includes healthy eating, regular physical activity, and balancing the number of calories you consume with the number of calories your body uses. Staying in control of your weight contributes to good health now and as you age.
Measles: Make Sure Your Child is Fully Immunized
March 12, 2012
As of March 2nd, 27 people in six states have been confirmed to have measles in 2012. Most of these people (21) were not vaccinated or had unknown vaccination status. Five U.S. residents and two foreign travelers got infected with measles in Ethiopia, France, Pakistan, or Uganda and brought it to the U.S. Measles outbreaks (3 or more cases) have occurred in Indiana and Kansas. Measles vaccine is highly effective at preventing measles. People should be up-to-date on vaccinations, including before international travel. High vaccine coverage, early detection, and rapid public health response prevent this highly infectious disease from spreading.
National Sleep Awareness Week
March 5, 2012
While we often consider sleep to be a “passive” activity, sufficient sleep is increasingly being recognized as an essential aspect of health promotion and chronic disease prevention in the public health community. Insufficient sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases and conditions—such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression—which threaten our nation’s health. Notably, insufficient sleep is associated with the onset of these diseases and also poses important implications for their management and outcome. Fundamental to the success of all of these efforts is the recognition that sufficient sleep is not a luxury—it is a necessity—and should be thought of as a “vital sign” of good health.
February
Bat Flu
February 29, 2012
A new and dramatically different influenza A virus has been discovered in fruit bats. The findings by scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention working with the Universidad del Valle of Guatemala are described in an article published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal March issue.
CDC’s Center for Global Health
Health care worker examining a child
February 21, 2012
The Center for Global Health leads the execution of CDC’s global health approach, working in partnership to assist Ministries of Health to plan, manage effectively, and evaluate health programs; achieve U.S. Government program and international organization goals to improve health; generate and apply new knowledge to achieve health goals; and strengthen health systems and their impact. At the heart of CDC Global Health Programs are highly capable and committed global health staff. They are supported by the expertise and efforts of approximately 1,400 locally employed staff, contract staff, fellows and hundreds of headquarters staff who travel overseas each year to provide temporary technical assistance. CDC remains committed to ensuring that every dollar spent achieves maximum public health impact.
Overdose deaths from Prescription painkillers
Woman looking at several bottles of medicine
February 15, 2012
The One & Only Campaign is a public health campaign, led by the CDC and the Safe Injection Practices Coalition, to raise awareness among patients and healthcare providers about safe injection practices. Since 1999, more than 125,000 patients in the United States have been notified of potential exposure to hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and HIV due to unsafe injection practices. The goal of the One & Only Campaign is to ensure that every injection administered to patients is safe. The Campaign aims to empower patients to ask questions and re-educate healthcare providers regarding safe injection practices.
February is American Heart Month!
Man and a woman preparing meal
February 13, 2012
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States, and women account for nearly 50% of heart disease deaths. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which often appears as a heart attack. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense; however, most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. The chance of developing coronary heart disease can be reduced by taking steps to prevent and control factors that put people at greater risk.
CDC Says U.S. Seeing Latest Flu Season in Nearly Three Decades
Computer model of a H1N1v virus
February 10, 2012
According to the CDC influenza surveillance report “FluView,” flu activity in the United States increased for the week ending February 4, 2012. The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza nationally rose to 10.5 percent from 7.6 percent the prior week. This is the first time this season that the percent of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza has surpassed 10 percent, which is generally a marker to indicate that flu season is beginning.
CDC Recommendations for Influenza Antiviral Medications Remain Unchanged
Computer model of a H1N1v virus
February 7, 2012
A recent review of randomized clinical trial data for the influenza neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral medications published by the Cochrane Collaboration, and two related commentaries [“Rethinking credible evidence synthesis” and “Questions Remain over safety and effectiveness of oseltamivir”] published in the British Medical Journal, raised questions about the value of antiviral medications for the prevention and treatment of influenza. After careful consideration of all available evidence, CDC guidance on the use of antiviral medications remains unchanged. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend the use of the neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral drugs (oral oseltamivir and inhaled zanamivir) as an important adjunct in the prevention and treatment of influenza.
The One & Only Campaign
The One and Only campaign poster
February 6, 2012
The One & Only Campaign is a public health campaign, led by the CDC and the Safe Injection Practices Coalition, to raise awareness among patients and healthcare providers about safe injection practices. Since 1999, more than 125,000 patients in the United States have been notified of potential exposure to hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and HIV due to unsafe injection practices. The goal of the One & Only Campaign is to ensure that every injection administered to patients is safe. The Campaign aims to empower patients to ask questions and re-educate healthcare providers regarding safe injection practices.
January
What does Folic Acid do for you? (Folic Acid Awareness Month)
Photo of a pregnant woman eating a snack
January 30, 2012
Every year, about 300,000 children around the world including the U.S. are born with neural tube defects. If women take 400 mcg of folic acid daily, before and during pregnancy, they can help prevent them. In the U.S. 3,000 pregnancies are affected by neural tube defects (NTDs) every year. NTDs are serious birth defects of the spine and brain; two of the most common NTDs are spina bifida and anencephaly. Taking 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily can help prevent these major birth defects. Folic acid is a B vitamin that the body uses to make new cells. Everyone needs folic acid. If a woman has enough folic acid in her body before she is pregnant, it can help prevent anencephaly and spina bifida.
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Cervical Cancer Health
All women are at risk for cervical cancer. It occurs most often in women over age 30.
January 23, 2012
Most cases of cervical cancer are easily preventable with regular screening tests and follow-up. It also is highly curable when found and treated early. Now vaccines are available to protect against the most common cause of cervical cancer. All women are at risk for cervical cancer. It occurs most often in women over age 30. Cervical cancer is highly preventable because screening tests (such as the Pap test) and vaccines to prevent HPV infections are available. When cervical cancer is found early, it is highly treatable and associated with long survival and good quality of life. The main cause of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that can be passed from one person to another during sex. HPV also causes other cancers, including vaginal, vulvar, anal, penile, and some head and neck cancers. At least half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives.
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National Birth Defect Prevention Month
January 17, 2012
January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month. Birth defects affect approximately one in 33 newborns and are a leading cause of infant mortality in the United States. This year, National Birth Defects Prevention Month focuses on medication use before, during, and after pregnancy. This includes over-the-counter or prescription medications and herbal or dietary products. Approximately two thirds of women use at least one medication during their pregnancy. Because of the possible risks to the unborn baby, pregnant women are not included in the testing of new medications. As a result, little information is available about the safety of taking most medications during pregnancy. Better data will allow women and their health-care providers to make informed decisions about treatment during pregnancy and evaluate the risks and benefits of treatment. CDC's National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS) helps identify medications that can increase the risk for birth defects. NBDPS data have been used to understand the risks associated with specific antidepressants, antibiotics, and antihypertensives.
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CDC Disease Detective Camp
January 9, 2012
The David J. Sencer CDC Museum is pleased to announce the 2012 CDC Disease Detective Camp (DDC) held at CDC’s headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. DDC is an academic day camp for upcoming high-school juniors and seniors who will be 16 years old by the first day of camp. Dates for the 2012 sessions are June 18-22 and July 16-20, and applications are now available.
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It’s a New Year, Let’s Celebrate Healthy!!!
January 3, 2012
Make being healthy your resolution. Find ways to get and stay healthy this year. Tips focus on a healthy you, family, home, community, and workplace. New Year's Day has long been a time for reflection on the personal changes we want to make as we look forward to a happy new year. Health-related goals are popular New Year's resolutions, but you may not know where to begin. Below, you'll find ways to get and keep a Healthy You, Healthy Family, Healthy Home, Healthy Community, and Healthy Workplace. Make health your resolution.
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