MMWR

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

Fruit and Vegetable Consumption among Adults – United States, 2005

PRESS CONTACT: CDC - National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Office of Communication
(770) 488-5131

No state reached the Health People 2010 objectives for fruit or vegetable consumption; Americans are not eating enough fruits and vegetables. The benefits of increased fruit and vegetable consumption and the failure to meet recommended goals underscore the need for additional measures to educate and motivate Americans to make healthier dietary choices and to increase their access to fruits and vegetables. Consuming a diet high in fruits and vegetables as part of an overall health diet is associated with lower chronic disease risk and can help in weight management. Increasing the percentage of Americans that consume enough fruits and vegetables everyday are part of the Health People 2010 objectives for the nation. Using data from the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), we assessed the proportion f U.S. adults meeting the fruit objective (target 75 percent) and vegetable objective (target 50 percent). We found that midway through the first decade, about one-third (32.6 percent of adults consumed fruits as least twice a day and one-quarter (27.2 percent) of adults consumed vegetables at least three times a day. By state, the percentages of consuming at least two fruits a day ranged from 19.2 percent to 37.8 percent, and the percentages of consuming at least three vegetables a day ranged from 20.9 percent to 39.0 percent.

Trends in Gonorrhea – Eight Western States, 2000-2005

PRESS CONTACT: CDC - National Center for HIV STD & TB Prevention Office of Communication
(404) 639-8895

After years of stable gonorrhea rates in the West, rates increased 42 percent between 2000 and 2005 (from 57.2 to 81.5 cases per 100,000 population) compared to declines of 5 percent to 22 percent in other regions; analysis suggests that the rise may be due to both changes in testing practices and real increases in gonorrhea. Researchers from CDC and affected health departments examined gonorrhea rates in the eight Western states with the greatest increases in recent years – Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. They found that gonorrhea rates increased in both sexes and in most age and racial/ethnic groups. Between 2000 and 2004, the test volume at 21 public laboratories in the eight states increased by 87 percent; the proportion tested with more sensitive DNA tests expanded from 49 percent to 86 percent – suggesting that the rate increase is due in part to improved testing efforts. In addition, data from select western states and cities showed increases in the number of men with gonorrhea symptoms who sought treatment. Because symptomatic individuals generally seek treatment regardless of screening efforts, this trend suggests real increases in infections. The authors encourage health departments and health care providers across the country to remain alert for increases in gonorrhea, screen and treat gonorrhea according to national and local guidelines, and enhance surveillance, prevention, and control programs.

Kidney Disease Mortality – Michigan, 1989-2005

PRESS CONTACT: Darline K. El Reda, DrPH, MPH
Diabetes Epidemiologist Michigan Department of Community Health
(517) 335-9080

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Marcie Gerlach
National Kidney Foundation of Michigan
(734) 222-9800

The number of persons living with chronic kidney disease is expected to increase with the increasing prevalence of diabetes and high blood pressure, major risk factors for kidney disease. You are at risk for kidney disease if you have diabetes or high blood pressure or a family history of kidney disease. Talk to your health care provider about getting tested. Early detection and treatment can help prevent, delay, or reduce disease progression. To learn more about kidney disease, check out the National Kidney Disease Education Program available at http://www.nkdep.nih.gov. In 2005, kidney disease was the ninth leading cause of death in Michigan. Nearly 3,700 Michigan residents started treatment (i.e., dialysis or transplant) for kidney failure in 2004 and, by the end of that year, more than 11,000 were receiving dialysis, and more than 600 had received a transplant. Of the persons receiving ESRD treatment, approximately 70 percent had a diagnosis of diabetes or high blood pressure as the primary cause of kidney failure. The Michigan Department of Community Health examined vital statistics data and found that kidney disease death rates increased during 1989–2005 and that blacks were more likely than whites to die from kidney disease. They are collaborating with other organizations in Michigan to develop and implement interventions aimed at reducing the number of Michigan residents who suffer from kidney disease.

Postmarketing Monitoring of Intussusception After RotaTeqâ„¢
Vaccination — United States, February 1, 2006–February 15, 2007

PRESS CONTACT: CDC - Division of Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

New safety data on a recently licensed rotavirus vaccine given to infants indicates the vaccine does not pose an elevated risk for intussusception, the most common cause of bowel obstruction in infants. CDC continues to recommend routine immunization of all U.S. infants with three doses of RotaTeq® administered orally at ages two, four and six months. The number of intussusception cases reported to date after RotaTeq® administration is consistent with the number of cases we expected to see based on background rates in unvaccinated children. This routine monitoring is done to ensure the safety of all vaccines. CDC and FDA are closely monitoring Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) reports for this vaccine as it would with any newly licensed vaccine. CDC is aware of past issues with rotavirus vaccine and intussusception and, therefore, will continue to closely monitor for cases of intussusception following rotavirus vaccination.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES