Synopsis for December 3, 2004

The MMWR is embargoed until Wednesday, 1 PM EDT.

1. Trends in Alcohol-Related Motorcycle Fatalities Associated with Alcohol-Impaired Driving ― United States, 1983-2003
2. Diagnoses of HIV/AIDS ― 32 States, 2000-2003
3. Number of Persons Tested for HIV ― United States, 2002
4. Acute Flaccid Paralysis Surveillance Systems and Other Diseases, 2003-2004

Trends in Alcohol-Related Motorcycle Fatalities Associated with Alcohol-Impaired Driving ―
United States, 1983-2003

While the overall prevalence of alcohol impairment among motorcycle drivers who died in crashes declined between 1983, and 2003, the highest rate of death among alcohol-impaired motorcycle drivers shifted from the 20-24 year age group, to the 40-44 year age group during that time.

While travel by motor vehicle has become steadily safer in the United States, motorcycles remain the most dangerous type of motor vehicle to drive. Motorcyclists are involved in fatal crashes at a rate of 35.0 per 100 million miles of travel compared with a rate of 1.7 per 100 million miles of travel in cars. This study examined the association between alcohol impairment and fatal motorcycle crashes. Over the time period 1983 to 2003, the rate of fatal motorcycle crashes among alcohol-impaired drivers declined for drivers under 40 and rose for drivers over 40. The rate of fatal motorcycle crashes among alcohol-impaired drivers was highest among 20-24 year-olds in 1983 and among 40-44 year-olds in 2003. Because older drivers involved in fatal motorcycle crashes are more likely to be alcohol-impaired than younger drivers, future efforts to reduce alcohol-impaired driving among motorcyclists should include older drivers.

Diagnoses of HIV/AIDS ― 32 States, 2000-2003

A CDC analysis of data from 32 states indicates that while the overall rate of HIV/AIDS diagnosis remained relatively stable from 2000 to 2003 in the United States, sharp racial disparities in the epidemic persist.

Further, while the number of annual diagnoses changed little among women, annual diagnoses increased 5 percent among men between 2000 and 2003. The increase among men is believed to be largely due to previously reported increases among men who have sex with men (MSM). The annual number of diagnoses among MSM increased 11 percent over the four-year period, but the largest increase occurred from 2001 to 2002. Between 2000 and 2003, more than half of HIV/AIDS diagnoses 51 percent in the 32 reporting states were among African Americans, 32 percent were among Whites, and 15 percent were among Latinos. Throughout the study period, rates of HIV/AIDS diagnosis were highest among African-American men and women. In 2003, for example, the rate among African-American women was 53 per 100,000, a rate more than 18 times the rate among white women, and almost five times that of Latinas. In 2003, the rate among African-American men was 103.4 per 100,000, a rate almost 7 times that of white men and nearly three times the rate among Latino men. Study authors point to the need for intensified prevention efforts to further reduce rates of HIV transmission and address racial disparities.

Number of Persons Tested for HIV ― United States, 2002

According to 2002 data from two national surveys, about one in 10 people ages 18-64 reported being tested for HIV in the previous year.

The overall proportion of Americans who report being tested during the prior year has remained roughly stable since 1992 according to latest survey findings. The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) showed that 10 percent of adults reported HIV testing in the prior year. Similarly, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) reported that about 12 percent of adults were tested in the previous year. Although there is room for improvement, testing rates were higher among groups for whom HIV testing is recommended. Nearly one-fourth of people at increased risk of HIV reported testing in the previous year –21 percent in the NHIS and 27 percent in the BRFSS. About half of pregnant women – 48 percent in NHIS and 54 percent in BRFSS –were also tested in the prior year. Authors note that as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce HIV infections, CDC is working to improve access to testing and increase the number of people who know their status.

Acute Flaccid Paralysis Surveillance Systems and Other Diseases, 2003-2004

The acute flaccid paralysis and measles surveillance systems have the potential to serve as the foundation for an expanded global surveillance system that includes other infectious diseases.

This report describes the current status of global AFP surveillance, including expansion or the use as a model of surveillance systems in 131 of 198 countries 66 percent to include reporting of measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases. As poliomyelitis is eradicated, AFP surveillance systems in these and other countries might be further expanded or used a model to improve the detection of and response to other diseases. This approach might encourage development of additional partnerships for global disease detection that will also help maintain the quality of future AFP and measles surveillance.

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