MMWR. Surveillance summaries : Morbidity and mortality weekly report. Surveillance summaries
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For CDC's goal of reducing the number of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections to be achieved, data are needed to assess the prevalence of HIV-related risk behaviors at a given time, monitor trends in these behaviors, and assess the correlates of risk. These data also can be used to evaluate the extent to which current HIV-prevention programs are reaching targeted communities and direct future HIV-prevention activities to reduce HIV transmission. ⋯ NHBS data are used to assess and develop effective HIV-prevention programs and services. Continued collection and reporting of NHBS data from all targeted high-risk populations is needed to monitor behavior trends and assess future HIV prevention needs in these populations. The data are used for local HIV-prevention planning and monitoring in MSAs in which NHBS is conducted.
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Malaria in humans is caused by any of four species of intraerythrocytic protozoa of the genus Plasmodium (i.e., P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, or P. malariae). These parasites are transmitted by the bite of an infective female Anopheles sp. mosquito. The majority of malaria infections in the United States occur among persons who have traveled to areas with ongoing malaria transmission. In the United States, cases can occur through exposure to infected blood products, congenital transmission, or local mosquitoborne transmission. Malaria surveillance is conducted to identify episodes of local transmission and to guide prevention recommendations for travelers. ⋯ Additional investigations were conducted for the four fatal cases and four infections acquired in the United States. Persons traveling to a malarious area should take one of the recommended chemoprophylaxis regimens appropriate for the region of travel and use personal protection measures to prevent mosquito bites. Any person who has been to a malarious area and who subsequently has a fever or influenza-like symptoms should seek medical care immediately and report their travel history to the clinician; investigation should include a blood-film test for malaria. Malaria infections can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Recommendations concerning malaria prevention can be obtained from CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/travel or by calling the Malaria Hotline at telephone 770-488-7788. Recommendations concerning malaria treatment can be obtained at http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/diagnosis_treatment/treatment.htm or by calling the Malaria Hotline.
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Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, accounting for approximately 440,000 deaths each year. The prevalence of cigarette smoking nationwide among high school students (grades 9-12) increased during the 1990s, peaking during 1996-1997, and then declined. Approximately 80% of tobacco users initiate use before age 18 years. An estimated 6.4 million children aged <18 years who are living today will die prematurely as adults because they began to smoke cigarettes during adolescence. The annual health-related economic cost associated with tobacco use exceeds 167 billion dollars. Because of these health and economic consequences, CDC has recommended that states establish and maintain comprehensive tobacco-control programs to reduce tobacco use among youth. ⋯ Health and education officials use YTS and NYTS data to plan, evaluate, and improve national and state programs to prevent and control youth tobacco use. States can use these data in presentations to their state legislators to demonstrate the need for funding comprehensive tobacco-control programs, including tobacco cessation and prevention programs for youth.
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Data on health risk behaviors (e.g., cigarette smoking, binge drinking, and physical inactivity) for chronic diseases and use of preventive practices (e.g., influenza and pneumococcal vaccination for adults aged > or =65 years and cholesterol screening) are essential for developing effective health education and intervention programs and policies to prevent morbidity and mortality from chronic diseases. Continuous monitoring of these behaviors and practices at the state, city, and county levels can help public health programs in evaluating progress toward improving their community's health. ⋯ Data from BRFSS are useful for assessing national health objectives, for identifying and characterizing at risk populations, and for designing and evaluating health promotion and disease prevention programs and policies. The 2003 BRFSS data indicate a continued need to develop and implement health promotion programs for targeting specific behaviors and practices and provides information for measuring progress towards achieving disease prevention and health promotion goals at state and local levels.
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Pulmonary hypertension, which is listed on hospital records and death certificates as either primary (i.e., idiopathic) pulmonary hypertension or pulmonary hypertension secondary to another underlying condition or disease, is considered rare amongst the U.S. population. Limited reports have been published regarding surveillance data for this debilitating and often fatal condition. ⋯ Increases in mortality from and hospitalization for pulmonary hypertension might reflect increased physician awareness and changes in diagnosing and reporting this chronic disease. Although pulmonary hypertension historically has been considered a disease of women of childbearing age, it affects all ages and racial populations. Older women represent the majority of patients and decedents with this condition. More research is needed concerning cause, prevention, and treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Public health initiatives should include increasing physician awareness that early detection is needed to initiate prompt, effective disease management. Additional epidemiologic initiatives also are needed to ascertain prevalence and incidence of various pulmonary hypertension disease entities such as pulmonary arterial hypertension.