MMWR News Synopsis
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Prevalence of Chronic Pain and High-Impact Chronic Pain Among Adults — United States, 2016
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
Chronic pain is common, affecting 50 million US adults. High-impact chronic pain, which limits life activities, affects 20 million adults. A first-ever CDC assessment of high-impact chronic pain – pain that limits life or work activities – affects 20 million people: 8 percent of all U.S. adults. Chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain are more common among women, older adults, and people living in poverty, as well as among people previously employed, with public health insurance, or living in rural areas. Chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain have been linked to restrictions in mobility and daily activities, dependence on opioids, anxiety and depression, and poor quality of life. These findings can help health care and public health professionals better target pain management interventions.
Sexual Risk Behavior Differences Among Sexual Minority High School Students — United States, 2015 and 2017
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
The study’s findings underscore the differences in risk behavior among students who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual or who are unsure of their sexual identity. By understanding these differences, public health practitioners can better tailor interventions to prevent disease and promote healthy behaviors among young people. Using 2015 and 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data, this analysis is the first to examine the subgroup differences in sexual risk behaviors among students who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual or who are unsure of their sexual identity. The findings show that females who identify as bisexual and males who identify as “not sure” may be at particular risk for harmful health outcomes resulting from sexual risk behaviors. The study’s findings point to differences in risk behaviors among students who may not identify as heterosexual.
Sentinel Surveillance for Congenital Rubella Syndrome — India, 2016–2017
Dr. Manoj Murhekar
Director
ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai
Email: mmurhekar@nieicmr.org.in
Phone: +91-44-26136201
Office: +91-9444414663
India is committed to the elimination of measles and control of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome by 2020. Rubella infection during early pregnancy can result in serious consequences such as miscarriage, stillbirth, or a constellation of severe birth defects known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). The Government of India is committed to eliminate measles and control rubella and CRS by 2020. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) initiated laboratory-supported surveillance for CRS in five sentinel sites in November 2016. During the first eight months, surveillance identified more than 200 suspected CRS patients. About a third of the patients had laboratory-confirmed CRS. The experience gained during the first phase of surveillance will be useful in expanding the surveillance network; data generated will help monitor progress toward CRS control in India.
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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.
