MMWR News Synopsis

Lifetime Prevalence of Self-Reported Work-Related Health Problems Among U.S. Workers — United States, 2018

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Work-related health problems affect a large number of the workers in the United States. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health estimated the lifetime prevalence of self-reported occupational work-related health problems among current workers in the United States and stratified results by demographic and occupational characteristics. Over a third of workers reported experiencing a work-related health problem. Back pain was the most commonly reported work-related health problem. The prevalence of health problems was significantly different across industries; the construction industry had the highest lifetime prevalence rates. Workplace prevention programs should be considered to prevent back pain and other health problems. This is one of the few studies that looks at the lifetime prevalence of work-related health problems, and more research is needed to better understand the overall burden of occupational morbidity.

Antiretroviral Therapy and Viral Suppression Among Active Duty Service Members with Incident HIV Infection — United States, January 2012–June 2018

Tanisha A. Blaise
Public Relations Specialist
Office phone: 301-319-2225
tanisha.a.blaise.ctr@mail.mil

The contemporary Department of Defense (DoD) model of HIV care demonstrates that early and sustained viral suppression is achievable within a large geographically distributed health care system. Analysis of HIV treatment outcomes among active duty U.S. military members with HIV infection shows that a high proportion received antiretroviral therapy (ART) within six months (89.4%) and 12 months (95.4%) of their HIV diagnosis. Among service members who initiated ART and remained in care through the military health system, a high proportion received a continued supply of ART (93.8%), and nearly all achieved viral suppression within one year (99.0%). In addition, most (96.8%) were virally suppressed at their last viral load test during follow-up. The DoD model of HIV care demonstrates that service members who test positive for HIV and remain in care can achieve both early and sustained viral suppression.

Nonfatal Drug Overdoses Treated in Emergency Departments — United States, 2016–2017

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

In the United States, rates of nonfatal overdose visits to emergency departments (EDs) increased from 2016 to 2017 for all drugs (4.3%), all opioids (3.1%), non-heroin opioids (3.6%), heroin (3.6%), and cocaine (32.9%), while rates of overdoses involving benzodiazepines decreased (5.2%). These findings highlight the importance of continued surveillance for nonfatal drug overdoses treated in EDs to inform public health actions. These actions include working collaboratively with clinical and public safety partners to link patients to needed recovery and treatment resources. This report identified rates of nonfatal overdose ED visits for all drugs, all opioids, non-heroin opioids, heroin, benzodiazepines, and cocaine and examined changes from 2016 to 2017. In 2017 a total of 967,615 nonfatal drug overdoses were treated in U.S. EDs. From 2016 to 2017, overdose ED visit rates for all drug types increased except for benzodiazepines, which decreased. There was an increase of over 32% in cocaine-involved overdoses. Rates increased for males and females in most drug categories, remained stable for females for non-heroin opioids, and decreased among both sexes for benzodiazepines. Overdose ED visit rates involving all drugs, all opioids, heroin, and cocaine increased in the West, Midwest, and the South; whereas, rates in the Northeast decreased for all opioids and heroin. Findings strengthen the need for enhanced surveillance and prevention efforts to curb increasing nonfatal drug overdose trends.

Asymptomatic and Presymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infections in Residents of a Long-Term Care Skilled Nursing Facility — King County, Washington, March 2020 (Early release March 27, 2020).

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Preliminary Estimates of the Prevalence of Selected Underlying Health Conditions Among Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 — United States, February 12–March 28, 2020 (Early release March 31, 2020)

CDC Media Relations
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• First Evidence of Locally Acquired Dengue Since 1944 — Guam, 2019

Local transmission of dengue virus on Guam was reported for the first time in 75 years. Transmission was likely driven by Aedes albopictus mosquitoes after the previously known vector, Aedes aegypti, was eradicated by the US military after World War II. Dengue re-emerged on Guam in September 2019 in an outbreak that resulted in 17 confirmed cases, 13 of which were locally acquired and four of which were travel-associated. This outbreak illustrates that transmission of dengue virus is possible on Guam and likely spread by Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Prior to September 2019, the last reported locally acquired dengue cases on Guam occurred in 1944 after World War II. Subsequently, extensive vector control operations conducted by the US military successfully eradicated the vector Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in the late 1940s. Since then, Guam has reported imported dengue cases almost every year because of frequent travel between Guam and areas with active transmission of dengue virus. From 1988–2019, all 45 reported dengue cases on Guam reported before September 2019 were travel-associated, mainly from the Philippines.

• Prevalence of Obesity and Severe Obesity Among Persons Aged 2–19 Years — National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2000 through 2017–2018

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