MMWR News Synopsis
Friday, May 10, 2019
Increase in Hepatitis A Virus Infections — United States, 2013–2018
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, hepatitis A cases have increased almost 300 percent in recent years, mostly related to widespread nationwide outbreaks among people reporting drug use or homelessness. A new CDC analysis finds an alarming increase in hepatitis A virus infections in the United States in recent years. Compared with 2013 – 2015, reports of hepatitis A cases increased almost 300 percent during 2016-2018. While there were two foodborne outbreaks of hepatitis A in 2016 and an increase of cases among men who have sex with men (MSM), widespread outbreaks among people reporting drug use or homelessness in 16 states have overwhelmingly driven the recent surge in cases. For all hepatitis A outbreaks, vaccination is the most effective strategy for halting ongoing transmission and preventing future outbreaks. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routine vaccination for adults at increased risk for exposure to hepatitis A, including: MSM, persons who use drugs, and persons who are homeless.
Disparities in Incidence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Among Black and White Women — United States, 2010–2016
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
Reducing HIV incidence in black women and their partners by implementing tailored strategies to address social determinants of health and equity is vital to the Department of Health and Human Services goal of ending the HIV epidemic in the U.S. by 2030. While there has been recent progress decreasing new HIV infections among women, rates among black women remain higher than those among white women. While the 21% decline in new HIV infections among black women from 2010–2016 is encouraging, black women still accounted for 6 in 10 new HIV infections among women in 2016. Using a measure of disparity – population attributable proportion (PAP) – CDC researchers modeled the reductions in new HIV infections that would have occurred if the rate of infections among black women were the same as white women. The PAP decreased from 0.75 (2010) to 0.70 (2016), suggesting HIV infections among black and white women would have been 75% lower in 2010 and 70% lower in 2016 if incidence rates were the same. Additionally, in 2016, 93% of infections among black women would not have occurred. Continued efforts are needed to identify and address social and structural factors to eliminate HIV disparities among women.
Racial Disparities in Mortality Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus — Fulton and DeKalb Counties, Georgia, 2002–2016
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
Deaths from any cause in these two Georgia counties were two to four times higher among people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared with deaths from any cause among people without SLE. SLE disproportionately affects women and minorities, especially blacks, and symptoms can range from mild to life threatening. In the current study, a more accurate method was used to examine deaths among people with SLE living in two Georgia counties. Deaths from any cause were two to four times higher among those with SLE compared with deaths from any cause among those without SLE. Blacks had higher rates of death than whites and had significantly higher rates of death from the time of diagnosis. Among people with lupus, blacks were significantly younger when they died than whites (average age of 52 vs. 64 years). Early diagnosis of SLE and proper treatment are critical to preventing long-term consequences of the disease.
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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.
