MMWR – Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

1. Heat Illness Among High School Athletes — United States, 2005–2009

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

This report estimates that approximately 9,000 cases of heat illness that occur among high school athletes annually, which is a rate of 1.6 per 100,000 athlete-exposures. Heat illnesses occurred most frequently during August (66.3 percent) and while practicing or playing football (70.7 percent). Consistent with guidelines from the National Athletic Trainers' Association, to reduce the risk for heat illness, high school athletic programs should implement heat-acclimatization guidelines (such as setting limits on summer practice duration and intensity) and ensure that all medical staff, coaches, athletes, and parents/guardians are trained in the early recognition and treatment of heat illness. Coaches also should continue to stress to their athletes the importance of maintaining proper hydration before, during, and after sports activities. When heat illness occurs, prompt recognition and response can be life-saving.

2. Smoking in Top-Grossing Movies — United States, 1991–2009

Dr. Stanton Glantz
Professor of Medicine
Director, Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education
University of California at San Francisco
Phone: (415) 476-4683

Seeing smoking in motion pictures increases the probability that youth will start smoking. Youth who are heavily exposed to onscreen smoking are approximately 2 to 3 times more likely to begin smoking than are lightly exposed youth. An analysis of top-grossing movies from 1991-2009 found that, although depictions of tobacco use have declined in recent years, more than half of movies rated PG-13 still contained tobacco imagery in 2009. Policies to decrease the negative impact of movie smoking could include assigning R ratings to new movies that portray tobacco imagery, requiring strong anti-tobacco ads preceding movies that depict smoking, not allowing tobacco brand displays in movies, and requiring producers of movies depicting tobacco to certify that nobody associated with the production received any consideration for that depiction. Effective means to reduce the harms of onscreen tobacco use should be implemented.

3. National, State, and Local Area Vaccination Coverage among Adolescents Aged 13–17 Years — United States, 2009

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

This is the fourth annual report of national adolescent vaccination coverage estimates based on provider-reported vaccination histories from the National Immunization Survey-Teen. National coverage levels for vaccines routinely recommended for adolescents (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis, meningococcal conjugate, and quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccines), continued to increase by as much as 15 percent. Coverage varied widely among states; four states had coverage greater than 60 percent for all three of the routinely administered adolescent vaccines. There were some differences in coverage by race/ethnicity and poverty status. Vaccination coverage among adolescents is improving; however more work, including the identification and dissemination of successful state-based practices, continued efforts to build awareness of the vaccination recommendations among parents and healthcare providers and evaluating vaccination policies associated with higher coverage in certain states are needed to increase the number of appropriately vaccinated adolescents.

4. Notes from the Field: Acute Hemorrhagic Conjunctivitis Outbreaks Caused by Coxsackievirus A24v — Uganda and Southern Sudan, 2010

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

Outbreaks of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) caused by coxsackievirus A24v are occurring in Uganda and Southern Sudan. AHC affects the eye and is highly contagious. Symptoms usually resolve in 1-2 weeks. Transmission is through contact with conjunctival secretions from an infected person or through contact with contaminated shared items, such as towels and bedding. Specific treatment is usually not needed, however if symptoms are severe or do not resolve patients should seek medical care. Epidemics have occurred worldwide in predominately tropical and subtropical regions, can last several months, and affect large numbers of people. Spread to surrounding geographic areas is possible. Frequent handwashing, good hygiene, and avoidance of commonly shared items are very important in helping to prevent spread.

 

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES