MMWR

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

Motor Vehicle-Related Death Rates – United States, 1999-2005

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Although significant progress has been made to reduce motor vehicle injuries, additional efforts are needed to assist the majority of states in reducing the number of deaths attributed to motor vehicles given that the current national average MV death rate is well above the Healthy People 2010 objective. While no region of the US has reached the Healthy People 2010 objective, some states already have. The highest state death rate (Mississippi) is 4 times the lowest state rate (Massachusetts). This article examines the progress to meet the Healthy People 2010 national objective to reduce motor vehicle injuries and found that, during 1999–2005, compared with the national average of 15.4 deaths/100,000 population, motor vehicle-related death rates were 36 percent lower in the Northeast (9.8/100,00 population), 5 percent lower in the Midwest (14.7/100,000 population), and 8 percent lower in the West (14.2/100,000 population) but considerably higher in the South by 27 percent (19.5/100,000 population). Although this study did not examine why rates vary so much by region, a previous study suggest that drivers in the Southern rural areas may travel more miles, increasing the probability of serious collisions. Prevention efforts like lower blood alcohol concentration laws, vehicle safety improvements, better roads, improved emergency response, primary seat belt laws, and alcohol checkpoints may help communities to save lives.

Arthritis as a Potential Barrier to Physical Activity Among Adults with Heart Disease – United States, 2005 and 2007

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Division of Media Relations
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• Press Release

Adults with heart disease who also have arthritis have unique barriers for physical activity, such as concerns about pain, or aggravating and worsening their arthritis symptoms. Engaging in joint friendly activities, such as walking, swimming, biking and participating in available arthritis-specific exercise programs may help people with both conditions to be more physically active which will help control both heart disease and arthritis. For more information on joint friendly exercise programs, visit CDC′s Arthritis Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/intervention. This new CDC study shows that arthritis may be an unrecognized barrier for adults with heart disease attempting to manage their condition through physical activity. Approximately, 29 percent of people with both conditions are physically inactive compared to 21percent with heart disease alone. The study found that the combination of heart disease and arthritis is not uncommon. About 57 percent of adults with heart disease also have arthritis. Inactive persons with heart disease who increase activity benefit from improved physical function and lowered blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels. Among states, the prevalence of physical inactivity for adults with heart disease and arthritis averaged 27 percent — ranging from 20.5 percent in Colorado to 50.3 percent in Kentucky. Among adults with heart disease alone it averaged just 19.5 percent — ranging from 13.5 percent in Utah to 38 percent in Kentucky.

Completeness and Timeliness of Reporting of Meningococcal Disease – Maine, 2001-2006

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Disease surveillance efforts have achieved near complete reporting of meningococcal disease in Maine, however timeliness of reporting is sometimes suboptimal. The ability of health departments to identify close contacts of individuals with meningococcal disease and provide chemoprophylaxis is dependent on the completeness and timeliness of disease reporting. Using public health surveillance data and hospital discharge data, this article examined that the completeness of reporting of meningococcal disease in Maine from 2001-2006 was 98 percent and that 56 percent of cases were reported within one day of hospitalization. Efforts should be made to insure that completeness of reporting remains high and that timeliness improves.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES