MMWR News Synopsis

Prevalence of Self-Reported Hypertension and Antihypertensive Medication Use by County and Rural-Urban Classification — United States, 2017

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Thirty percent of U.S. adults report doctor-diagnosed hypertension (high blood pressure). . In a new study released by the CDC, 40% of U.S. adults in the most rural areas report having high blood pressure as compared to 29% in the most urban areas. Hypertension also varies greatly at the county level where the prevalence ranges from 18% to 55%, with the highest in the Southeast and Appalachia. These findings provide an opportunity to enhance and support hypertension management and awareness, especially in rural areas where prevalence is highest and residents might experience limited access to health care services.

Improving Detection and Response to Respiratory Events — Kenya, 2016–2019

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Piloted in Kenya, the Detection and Response to Respiratory Events (DaRRE) strategy could serve as a model for other countries in the region on how to build capacity for prevention, detection, and response to respiratory disease outbreaks. Building capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to respiratory disease outbreaks, which pose a significant public health threat, is a global priority. Working closely with the Ministry of Health and public health officials throughout Kenya, CDC piloted a program focused on creating sustainable improvements in public health preparedness and response capacities. From 2016 through 2019, partners expanded surveillance for acute respiratory illnesses requiring hospitalization, developed event-based surveillance, enhanced laboratory ability to detect respiratory pathogens, and improved emergency response capabilities. Activities were determined in consultation with Kenya Ministry of Health, based on available resources and systems already in place. Using existing resources and tailoring tools based on the country’s needs, the pilot program could serve as a model for other countries in the region.

Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes of Adult Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19 — Georgia, March 2020 (Early release April 29, 2020)

Public Health Response to the Initiation and Spread of Pandemic COVID-19 in the United States, February 24–April 21, 2020 (Early release May 1, 2020)

COVID-19 Among Workers in Meat and Poultry Processing Facilities ― 19 States, April 2020 (Early release May 1, 2020)

• Large Measles Outbreak in Orthodox Jewish Communities — Jerusalem District, Israel, 2018–2019

Global measles elimination is hindered by recurrent outbreaks, characteristically emerging in specific population groups that are under-vaccinated. During March 2018 – May 2019, an outbreak of over 4,000 reported measles cases emerged in Israel, following international importation, mainly from the Ukraine. About half of the cases occurred in residents of Jerusalem District, primarily among unvaccinated children in ultraorthodox Jewish communities. Rigorous public health and outbreak containment activities, including outbreak response immunization, were employed and led to successful control. This outbreak, likely caused by measles importation into unprotected groups, was similar to previous vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks in these communities. Despite high overall measles vaccine coverage in Israel (94-95%), pockets of under-vaccinated groups can sustain measles transmission and lead to outbreaks. To reduce outbreaks of measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases, countries need to implement intervention programs aimed at increasing and sustaining immunization coverage in groups likely to be unvaccinated or under-vaccinated.

• Age-Adjusted Percentage of Adults Aged ≥18 Years Who Have Difficulty Seeing Even When Wearing Glasses, by Poverty Status — National Health Interview Survey, United States 2018

###

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.