CDC Vital Signs

CDC Vital Signs offers recent data and calls to action for important public health issues.

May 2013 Vital Signs Issue: Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a serious virus infection that over time can cause liver damage and even liver cancer. Early treatment can prevent this damage. Too many people with hepatitis C do not know they are infected, so they don't get the medical care they need.

Once infected with the hepatitis C virus, nearly 8 in 10 people remain infected for life. A simple blood test, called a hepatitis C antibody test, can tell if you have ever been infected, but cannot tell whether you are still infected. Only a different follow-up blood test can determine if you are still infected. CDC data show only half of people with a positive hepatitis C antibody test had the follow-up test reported to the health department.

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More Issues

Preventing Repeat Teen Births
Although teen birth rates have been falling for the last two decades, more than 365,000 teens, ages 15–19, gave birth in 2010.

Hepatitis C
Testing baby boomers saves lives.

Making Health Care Safer: Stop Infections from Lethal CRE Germs Now
Untreatable and hard-to-treat infections from CRE germs are on the rise among patients in medical facilities.

Adult Smoking
Focusing on People with Mental Illness.

Binge Drinking
About 1 in 8 women aged 18 years and older and 1 in 5 high school girls binge drink.

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About Vital Signs

CDC launched a new program called CDC Vital Signs, which includes an MMWR Early Release, a fact sheet and website, a media release, and a series of announcements via social media tools.

Vital Signs will be released the first Tuesday of every month. Issues include colorectal and breast cancer screening, obesity, alcohol and tobacco use, access to health care, HIV testing, seat belt use, cardiovascular disease, teen pregnancy and healthcare-associated infections, asthma, and foodborne disease.