MMWR News Synopsis
Friday, November 1, 2019
- Diabetes Prevalence and Incidence Among Medicare Beneficiaries — United States, 2001–2015
- Racial/Ethnic and Age Group Differences in Opioid and Synthetic Opioid–Involved Overdose Deaths Among Adults Aged ≥18 Years in Metropolitan Areas — United States, 2015–2017
- Tobacco Use in Top-Grossing Movies — United States, 2010–2018
- Progress Toward Global Eradication of Dracunculiasis — January 2018–June 2019
- Update: Characteristics of Patients in a National Outbreak of E-cigarette, or Vaping, Product–Use Associated Lung Injuries — United States, October 2019
- National Diabetes Month
- QuickStats
Diabetes Prevalence and Incidence Among Medicare Beneficiaries — United States, 2001–2015
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
Between 2001-2015, the percentage of Medicare beneficiaries aged 68 or older living with diabetes plateaued after 2012 while the percentage of new diabetes cases in this population declined after 2006. Consistent with national data, new research points to a leveling in the percentage of Medicare beneficiaries over the age of 68 living with diabetes and a decrease in the percentage of new cases in this population. The percentage of beneficiaries living with diabetes aged 68 or higher was lower among whites than among other racial/ethnic groups and was generally higher among men than among women. The decline in the percentage of new diabetes cases may be due to efforts to promote healthier behaviors, such as the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program, as well as to declines in the amount of food people are eating, in sugar consumption and in physical inactivity.
Racial/Ethnic and Age Group Differences in Opioid and Synthetic Opioid–Involved Overdose Deaths Among Adults Aged ≥18 Years in Metropolitan Areas — United States, 2015–2017
Tara Broido, MPH
Deputy Director of Communications
Office Phone: 202-205-1842
Cell Phone: 202-868-9517
tara.broido@hhs.gov
From 2015-2017 synthetic opioids (e.g., fentanyl) were involved in most opioid overdose deaths. While nearly all racial/ethnic groups and age groups across metropolitan areas experienced increases in opioid and synthetic opioid overdose deaths, middle-aged non-Hispanic blacks living in large metropolitan areas experienced the largest increases in synthetic opioid overdose death rates. Synthetic opioids, particularly illicitly manufactured fentanyl, have been fueling the U.S. overdose epidemic since 2013 and are increasingly being found in supplies of cocaine, methamphetamine, and counterfeit prescription pills, thereby increasing the populations at risk for an opioid overdose. These findings underscore the changing demographics and populations affected by the opioid overdose epidemic as the illicit drug supply evolves.
Tobacco Use in Top-Grossing Movies — United States, 2010–2018
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
From 2010 to 2018, tobacco incidents in PG-13 movies increased 120%. The Surgeon General concluded that depictions of smoking in movies is a cause of smoking initiation among young people. From 2010 to 2018, the proportion of all top-grossing movies with tobacco incidents remained stable. However, during this time period tobacco incidents in PG-13 movies increased 120%. Additionally, in 2018 biographical dramas accounted for most tobacco incidents, including 82% of those in PG-13 movies. Also, 73% of characters who used tobacco in biographical dramas were fictional. The increasing number of youth-rated biographical dramas with tobacco incidents has negated progress in reducing tobacco incidents in youth-rated fictional movies. Assigning movies with tobacco incidents an R rating can eliminate tobacco product imagery from youth-rated films, and further reduce tobacco product initiation among youth.
Progress Toward Global Eradication of Dracunculiasis — January 2018–June 2019
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
With only 28 human cases of dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease) reported in 2018, the goal of eradicating this parasitic and painful disease is on the horizon. However, infections in dogs (especially in Chad) and civil unrest and insecurity in Mali and South Sudan continue to challenge global eradication efforts. Dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease) is a parasitic infection targeted for eradication. Annual human cases declined from about 3.5 million in 20 countries in 1986 to 28 cases in only three countries (Chad, South Sudan, and Angola) in 2018. In Chad, dog infections are also present and have far outnumbered human cases since 2012. Dog infections in Chad increased 28% between 2017 and 2018. Mali, Ethiopia, and Angola also have small numbers of animal infections. The recent finding of cases in Angola is concerning. The risk of cross-border, travel-related importations; dog infections (especially in Chad), and impeded access because of civil unrest and insecurity (in Mali and South Sudan) continue to be the greatest challenges to global eradication efforts.
Update: Characteristics of Patients in a National Outbreak of E-cigarette, or Vaping, Product–Use Associated Lung Injuries — United States, October 2019
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
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