MMWR News Synopsis

Overdose Deaths Involving Opioids, Cocaine, and Psychostimulants – 31 U.S. States and the District of Columbia, 2015-2016

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Opioids were involved in more than 42,000 deaths in the United States in 2016. There were increases in overdose deaths from prescription opioids and heroin, and a doubling of the rate of synthetic opioid overdose deaths (other than methadone), likely driven by illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF). Opioids were involved in 66.4% of all drug overdose deaths in 2016. This rate of opioid overdoses increased nearly 28% from the previous year. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) is mixed into counterfeit opioid and benzodiazepine pills, heroin, and cocaine, likely contributing to increases in overdoses involving these other substances. Deaths increased for all drug types examined across most demographics and geographic areas. Working together to prevent and respond to the epidemic—through increased naloxone availability, safe prescribing practices, harm reduction services, linkage into treatment, and greater collaboration between public health and public safety— can save lives.

Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes in Adults by Diabetes Type – United States, 2016

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

New research indicates that 1.3 million U.S. adults are living with type 1 diabetes, 21 million U.S. adults are living with type 2 diabetes and .8 million U.S. adults are living with other forms of diabetes. The two most common forms of diabetes are type 1 and type 2. Due to difficulties in classifying diabetes prevalence by type, limited data exists on the number of cases of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in American adults prior to this study.  Researchers estimate that 1.3 million U.S. adults are living with type 1 diabetes, 21 million U.S. adults are living with type 2 diabetes and .8 million are living with other forms of diabetes. Similar to previous findings, researchers determined that 0.55% of U.S. adults have type 1 diabetes, and 8.6% of U.S. adults have type 2 diabetes—accounting for 5.8% and 90.9% of diagnosed cases, respectively.  The remaining 3.3% of diabetes cases represent other types of diabetes.

Trends in Diabetic Ketoacidosis Hospitalizations and In-Hospital Mortality – United States, 2000-2014

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Diabetic ketoacidosis hospitalization rates in the United States have been increasing since 2009. Diabetes is a common chronic condition affecting more than 30 million persons in the United States. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening but preventable complication of diabetes. Although DKA hospitalization rates among persons with diabetes declined slightly from 2000 to 2009, this trend reversed, with rates increasing 54.9% between 2009 and 2014. All age groups were affected, with highest rates among persons aged less than 45 years. Despite the increase in DKA hospitalization rates, in-hospital mortality among persons with DKA consistently decreased over the study period. Identification of factors contributing to the increase in hospitalizations for DKA might help target prevention efforts.

Two Cases of Meningococcal Disease in One Family Separated by an Extended Period – Colorado, 2015-2016

Shannon Barbare
Communications Manager
Office 303-692-2036
Shannon.barbare@state.co.us

Where there is potential household spread of meningococcal disease, public health investigations could benefit from advanced laboratory techniques and better documentation of preventive treatment among household members. A strain of meningococcal disease in a Colorado grandmother showed up 15 months later in her 3-month-old grandchild, even though the grandmother was appropriately treated and recovered. Improved laboratory methods allowed public health to link these cases, something not possible before the use of whole genome sequencing. The questions surrounding this household disease link underscore the need for more precise evaluation of such cases and better documentation of preventive treatment among family members.

• Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections in U.S. Medical Tourists Associated with Plastic Surgery – Dominican Republic, 2017
• Fatalities Associated with Human Adenovirus Type 7 at a Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Facility – New Jersey, 2017

• Age-Adjusted Death Rates For Drug Overdose, by Race/Ethnicity — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2015–2016

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

CDC works 24/7 protecting America’s health, safety and security. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are curable or preventable, chronic or acute, or from human activity or deliberate attack, CDC responds to America’s most pressing health threats. CDC is headquartered in Atlanta and has experts located throughout the United States and the world.