MMWR News Synopsis for November 17, 2016

Potentially Preventable Deaths Among the Five Leading Causes of Death — United States, 2010 and 2014

CDC Media Relations
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Information about differences in rates for the five leading causes of death among states might help state health officials determine prevention goals, priorities, and strategies. Cause-specific death rates vary across the 50 states and the District of Columbia. CDC analyzed National Vital Statistics data to provide national and state-specific estimates of potentially preventable deaths among the five leading causes of death in 2014 and compared these estimates to estimates previously published for 2010. Compared with 2010, the estimated number of potentially preventable deaths changed: cancer decreased 25%, stroke decreased 11%, heart disease decreased 4%, chronic lower respiratory disease increased 1%, and unintentional injuries increased 23%.

Trends in Obesity Among Participants Aged 2-4 Years in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children — United States, 2000-2014

CDC Media Relations
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Despite the recent modest declines in childhood obesity prevalence among Women Infants and Children (WIC) participants ages 2-4 years, the obesity prevalence among young children in WIC remains high. Continued efforts to work with parents and other stakeholders to promote healthy pregnancies, breastfeeding, quality nutrition, and physical activity for young children in multiple settings are needed to ensure healthy child development. From 2010-2014, 34 of 56 states and territories (61%) reported a modest decrease in obesity prevalence among children ages 2-4 years enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for WIC.Overall, WIC data show that during 2000-2010, obesity prevalence in young children increased significantly from 14.0% to 15.9%; however, during 2010-2014, obesity prevalence decreased significantly to 14.5%.In 2014, obesity prevalence varied by state; obesity prevalence among young children enrolled in WIC ranged from 8.2% in Utah to 20.0% in Virginia. During 2010-2014, the prevalence of obesity decreased significantly among non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, Hispanics, American Indian/Alaska Natives, and Asians/Pacific Islanders. Despite these improvements, obesity prevalence remains high (14.5%) among young children living in low-income households.

CDC Grand Rounds: A Public Health Approach to Detect and Control Hypertension

CDC Media Relations
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Millions of Americans have undiagnosed or untreated high blood pressure, increasing their risk of heart disease and stroke. Through collaborative efforts, Million Hearts has increased awareness of opportunities to better detect and control high blood pressure at the individual level, the care providers’ level, and the healthcare system level. An estimated 75 million Americans – nearly one out of three adults – have high blood pressure. Of this group, almost half don’t have their high blood pressure under control, including more than 11 million who don’t even know they have it. Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Million Hearts brings together public health and healthcare to create opportunities to better detect and control high blood pressure. For example, the national initiative promotes proven prevention strategies such as standardized hypertension treatment protocols and effective use of health information technology. The goal of Million Hearts is to leverage resources and expertise across the health spectrum to reduce hypertension prevalence nationwide and ultimately help protect millions of Americans from unnecessary and preventable events. 

Disparities in the Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes — United States, 1999–2002 and 2011–2014

CDC Media Relations
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Low income and limited education may reduce the impact of public health interventions intended to prevent type 2 diabetes. Public health professionals and policy makers may consider adapting or developing interventions that take into account limited education and low income to reach people who may be at significant risk for type 2 diabetes. Research indicates that socioeconomic disparities in the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes persist among U.S. adults. Researchers examined data from 1999-2002 and 2011-2014 to measure the size of the disparities in diabetes prevalence at various socioeconomic levels and found disparities in the total population and within blacks, whites, and Hispanics. In the two periods, the magnitude of disparities in prevalence between whites with higher income and education and whites who were more socioeconomically disadvantaged increased significantly over time. The magnitude of the disparity in diabetes prevalence among blacks remained significant but did not change. Among Hispanics, the size of the education disparity in diabetes prevalence increased over time but the income disparity did not change.

Global Routine Vaccination Coverage, 2015

CDC Media Relations
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Improvements in equity of access to the WHO-recommended vaccines are necessary to reach and sustain higher vaccination coverage, which will increase protection from vaccine-preventable diseases for all. In 1974, the World Health Organization (WHO) established the Expanded Program on Immunization to provide protection against six vaccine-preventable diseases through routine infant immunization. Since then, global coverage with vaccines to prevent tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, and measles has increased from <5% to ≥85%, and additional vaccines have been added to the recommended schedule. However, global coverage with the third dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, the first dose of measles-containing vaccine and the third dose of polio vaccine has not improved from 84%–86% since 2010; wide disparities in coverage exist across WHO regions, countries, districts and communities. Improvements in equity of access are necessary to reach and sustain higher coverage and to increase protection from vaccine-preventable diseases.

Notes from the Field: 

Bloodstream Infections Associated with a Compounded Intravenous Medication at an Outpatient Oncology Clinic — New York City, 2016

Cardiac Dysrhythmias after Loperamide Abuse — New York, 2008–2016

QuickStats:

Average Infant Mortality Rate, by Month — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2010–2014

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES