MMWR News Synopsis

Progress Toward Regional Measles Elimination — Worldwide, 2000–2018

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Despite global improvements during 2000-2018, including a 66% decrease in reported measles incidence and an estimated 23.2 million lives saved because of measles vaccination, reported measles incidence has increased in five of the six World Health Organization (WHO) regions since 2016, and estimated global measles mortality has increased since 2017. During 2000–2018, increased coverage with measles vaccines, supplemental immunization activities, and other elimination efforts contributed to a 66% decrease in reported measles incidence, a 73% reduction in estimated measles mortality, and a reduction in the number of circulating wild measles genotypes worldwide. Measles vaccination prevented an estimated 23.2 million deaths during this period. Despite this progress, global measles control milestones have not been achieved, reported measles incidence has increased in five of the six World Health Organization regions since 2016, and estimated global measles deaths have increased since 2017. Large measles outbreaks in countries with weak immunization systems accounted for most reported measles cases. Outbreaks should serve as opportunities to investigate underlying causes for under-vaccination and to design and implement specific routine immunization strengthening activities to prevent future outbreaks.

Progress Toward Measles Elimination — China, January 2013–June 2019

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

China made considerable progress towards measles elimination during January 2013-June 2019. Measles cases, incidence, and outbreaks were all at historic low levels in 2017 and 2018, and they have continued to decrease through June 2019. China’s measles incidence per million population decreased from 20.4 in 2013 to 2.8 in 2018. Measles cases, incidence, and outbreaks were all at historic low levels in 2017 and 2018. Reported measles-related deaths decreased from 32 in 2015 to one in 2018, and to zero through June, 2019. Measles elimination in China can be achieved through strengthening the immunization program’s existing strategies: Ensuring sufficient vaccine supply, continuing to improve laboratory-supported surveillance and outbreak investigation and response, strengthening school entry vaccination checks, and vaccinating students without documentation of two doses of measles-rubella vaccine.

Vital Signs: Status of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing, Viral Suppression, and HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis — United States, 2013–2018

• Tobacco Product Use and Associated Factors Among Middle and High School Students — United States, 2019

In 2019, about 1 in 3 high school students (4.7 million) and about 1 in 8 middle school students (1.5 million) were current (past 30-day) tobacco product users. To assess the prevalence of youth tobacco product use, CDC and FDA analyzed data from the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey. E-cigarettes were the most commonly cited tobacco product, currently used by 27.5% of high school students (4.1 million) and 10.5% of middle school students (1.2 million), followed by cigars, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, hookahs, and pipe tobacco. Survey findings confirm that several factors continue to promote youth use of these products, including exposure to tobacco product advertising and promotions; the availability of flavored tobacco products; curiosity; and misperceptions about harm from tobacco product use. Comprehensive and sustained implementation of evidence-based tobacco control strategies, combined with FDA’s regulation of tobacco products, is important for reducing all forms of tobacco product use among U.S. youths.

• Percentage of Adults Aged 18–64 Years Who Had Seen or Talked to a Health Care Professional in the Past 12 Months, by Race/Ethnicity — National Health Interview Survey, 2012–2013 and 2017–2018

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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.