MMWR – Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

1. National Teen Driver Safety Week — October 17–23, 2010 (Box)

CDC Division of News and Electronic Media
(404) 639-3286

No Summary Available

2. Drivers Aged 16 or 17 Years Involved in Fatal Crashes — United States, 2004–2008

CDC Division of News and Electronic Media
(404) 639-3286

Over a five-year period, the annual number of 16- and 17-year-old drivers involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes decreased by 36 percent (from 2,230 in 2004 to 1,437 in 2008). The study also found that, across all U.S. states and the District of Columbia, death rates associated with these crashes varied widely, ranging from 9.7 per 100,000 (New York and New Jersey) to 59.6 per 100,000 (Wyoming). Graduated driver licensing policies (GDL), or teen driving laws, can be at least partially credited with the recent decline in the number of fatal crashes involving young drivers. These laws, which currently exist in 49 states and the District of Columbia, limit driving under high-risk conditions for newly-licensed drivers, such as driving at night and transporting other teen passengers.

3. HIV Transmission Through Blood Transfusion — Missouri and Colorado, 2008

CDC Division of News and Electronic Media
(404) 639-3286

Even though transfusion-transmitted HIV infection in the United States is rare, healthcare providers should consider the possibility of transfusion-transmitted HIV in a recipient with no other risk factors for infection. This MMWR report describes the case of a patient who was infected with HIV through transfusion. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires blood collection centers to assess donor eligibility using screening questionnaires and highly-sensitive laboratory tests. These requirements have significantly reduced, but not eliminated, the risk of transfusion-transmitted HIV infection. In collaboration with FDA, CDC is evaluating possible improvements to the donor screening questionnaire and laboratory testing to further reduce the risk. This case also underscores the importance of reporting of transfusion-transmitted HIV cases to appropriate public health authorities, and of public health surveillance for transfusion-associated adverse events.

4. State Medicaid Coverage for Tobacco-Dependence Treatments — United States, 2009

Helen Ann Halpin, Ph.D.
Professor of Health Policy and Director
University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health
(510) 643-1675

Medicaid enrollees have nearly double the smoking rates of the general population, and smoking-related medical costs are considered responsible for 11 percent of Medicaid costs. The Center for Health and Public Policy Studies at the University of California, Berkeley (in collaboration with CDC) surveyed Medicaid programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to document their 2009 tobacco-dependence treatment coverage. The survey found that although 47 programs (92 percent) offered coverage for some form of tobacco-dependence treatment to Medicaid enrollees, only 8 states offered coverage for all recommended medications and at least one form of counseling for all enrollees. Furthermore, the report shows that while 12 states added or expanded coverage between 2007 and 2009, 16 states reported coverage for fee-for-service enrollees that differed from that provided for Medicaid managed-care enrollees in the same state. To have the greatest impact, it is important that Medicaid programs inform their enrollees and providers about changes in coverage for tobacco-dependence treatments and offer these treatments without barriers or limitations.

 

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES