Synopsis for April 7, 2000

MMWR articles are embargoed until 4 p.m. E.S.T. Thursdays.

1. Progress in Development of Immunization Registries — United States, 1999
2. Palmar Pallor as an Indicator for Anthelminthic Treatment Among Ill Children Aged 2–4 Years — Western Kenya, 1998
3. Community Indicators of Health-Related Quality of Life — United States, 1993–1997

Synopsis for April 7, 2000

Progress in Development of Immunization Registries — United States, 1999

Immunization registries are an important component of strategies to increase and sustain high immunization coverage.

 

PRESS CONTACT:  Robb Linkins, M.P.H., Ph.D. CDC, National Immunization Program (404) 639–8245

CDC-funded immunization registries are being developed in all 50 states. Important benefits of registries include automation of reminder/recall functions, assessment of immunization coverage levels, consolidation of records from multiple providers into a single immunization record, and an automated official immunization record for daycare, camp, and school entry. Immunization registries also can play an important role in vaccine safety surveillance. Several registries have used their data to recall children who have received sub-potent lots or an inadequate dosage of vaccine, and to monitor the implementation of new vaccine recommendations.

Palmar Pallor as an Indicator for Anthelminthic Treatment Among Ill Children Aged 2–4 Years — Western Kenya, 1998

In areas of low prevalence and intensity of helminth infection, palmar pallor is not associated with helminth infection.

 

PRESS CONTACT: Renu Manjrekar, M.D., MPH. CDC, National Center for Infectious Disease (770) 488–4112

Infections with the soil-transmitted intestinal helminths (i.e., Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm and Trichuris trichuira), effect approximately 1 billion persons annually. Helminths cause malnutrition and anemia among children. The World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund have developed guidelines that include interventions for anemia and malnutrition for children <5 years of age. Under these guidelines, in areas where hookworm or whipworm are endemic, children 2–4 years of age with palmar pallor (palms of the hands look pale) are treated with an anthelminthic (deworming) drug. However, an investigation among children 2–4 years of age in rural western Kenya found that palmar pallor was associated with anemia, but not with intestinal helminth infection. Additional studies may help determine when palmar pallor is indicated for anthelminthic treatment.  

Community Indicators of Health-Related Quality of Life — United States, 1993–1997

Differences in residents' "unhealthy days" are helping to identify the characteristics of healthy communities.

 

PRESS CONTACT: David Moriarity CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention & Helath Promotion (770) 488–5455

Some cities and counties are healthier than others. City planners, civic boosters, real estate agents, and especially local public health departments are acutely aware that the physical and mental health of a community's residents is influenced by many environmental and population characteristics. Yet, there have been few national efforts to study these factors and guide local health policy makers. This report describes early findings on the relationship between selected community health status indicators (CHSI) and the average number of days that adults report experiencing ill health (i.e., unhealthy days)--a key Healthy People 2010 measure of a population's health-related quality of life (HRQOL). County data from 1993-1997 show that poverty level, high school graduation, unemployment, severe work disability, all cause mortality, and the proportion of births to adolescents each affect the unhealthy days reported by county residents.

Media Home | Contact Us

CDC Home | Search | Health Topics A-Z

This page last reviewed Friday, April 7, 2000
URL:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Office of Communication