MMWR News Synopsis

Increases in Health-Related Workplace Absenteeism among Workers in Essential Critical Infrastructure Occupations during the COVID-19 Pandemic—United States, March–April 2020

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

This report highlights the potential impact of COVID-19 in workplaces where employees may be at higher risk for exposures, like healthcare and congregate worksites. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health-related workplace absenteeism among all full-time workers in March and April 2020 was minor. However, in April there were significant increases in absenteeism in certain occupational groups, including essential workers, that may be at higher risk for exposure to COVID-19 (e.g., meat processing workers and healthcare support workers). Absenteeism overall either didn’t change or decreased in other occupational groups.

Provision of Pediatric Immunization Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Assessment of Capacity Among Pediatric Immunization Providers Participating in the Vaccines for Children Program — United States, May 2020

CDC Media Relations
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A survey conducted in mid-May of pediatric healthcare provider practices participating in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program showed that most were open and anticipated having the capacity to provide routinely recommended vaccines allowing children to catch up on vaccines that might have been delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring that immunization services are maintained is essential for protecting children and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases and outbreaks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 90% of VFC-enrolled practices responding to the survey were currently open, and 81% of these practices offered immunization services to all their pediatric patients. Additionally, 59% of practices were likely to be able to provide immunization services to new pediatric patients if needed.

Race/Ethnicity, Underlying Medical Conditions, Homelessness, and Hospitalization Status of Adult Patients with COVID-19 at an Urban Safety-Net Medical Center — Boston, Massachusetts, 2020

David Kibbe
Boston Medical Center Communications
Phone: 617 638-8499
Email Address: David.Kibbe@bmc.org

Safety-net hospitals and other institutions can consider patient characteristics, like age, homelessness, underlying medical conditions, and race/ethnicity, to develop tailored strategies that could improve patient outcomes and reduce strain on healthcare systems. Data from Boston Medical Center, a safety-net hospital that often treats a high proportion of racial and ethnic minorities and people experiencing homelessness, highlights differences in demographic and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients treated between April and mid-May. Illness severity differed by age, race/ethnicity, underlying medical conditions, and homelessness. Hospitalized patients were more likely to be Hispanic or to be experiencing homelessness; more than 80% of patients who died were age 60 years or older.

Trends in Emergency Department Visits due to Contact Sports-Related Traumatic Brain Injuries Among Children–United States, 2001-2018

CDC Media Relations
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After more than a decade of increasing rates, the rate of emergency department (ED) visits among children due to contact sports-related traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) decreased 32% from 2012 to 2018. the 2013-2018 decline in ED visits for sports-related TBIs was primarily due to a 39% decline in the rate of football-related TBI ED visits among children 5-17 years. Prior to this decline, TBI-related ED visits increased by more than 200% from 2001 to 2013. Decreased participation in tackle football, implementation of contact limitations, and use of tackling techniques to reduce concussions are likely factors contributing to this decline. Even so, football was associated with the highest rate of contact sports-related TBI ED visits in 2018, with basketball and soccer following. The rates of TBI ED visits from basketball and soccer did not show a significant decline over the study period. Findings highlight the continued need to expand efforts to prevent football-related TBIs among children, as it remains the sport with the highest rate of TBI. There is also a need to identify effective prevention strategies for other contact sports.

Trends in Nonfatal Falls and Fall-Related Injuries Among Adults Aged ≥65 years — United States 2012-2018

CDC Media Relations
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Falls and fall-related injuries are common among older adults and can be prevented. Healthcare providers play a crucial role in helping older adults reduce their risk of falling. The percentage of adults age 65 and older reporting a fall increased from 2012 to 2016, followed by a small decrease from 2016 to 2018. Even with this decrease, older adults reported 36 million falls and 8 million fall-related injuries that limited daily activities for at least a day or resulted in a medical visit. Adults age 85 and older were most likely to report a fall or fall-related injury in the past year. There was a higher percentage of falls or fall-related injuries among older adults (regardless of age) who reported:

• No physical activity in the past month.
• Difficulty with walking up or down stairs.
• Difficulty dressing and bathing.
• Difficulty performing errands alone.

These and other risk factors can be addressed to prevent falls among older adults. Healthcare providers can use CDC’s STEADI initiative to screen, assess, and intervene to reduce fall risk.

Initial and Repeated Point Prevalence Surveys to Inform SARS-CoV-2 Infection Prevention in 26 Skilled Nursing Facilities — Detroit, Michigan, March–May 2020 (Early release July 1, 2020)

CDC Media Relations
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Update: COVID-19 Among Workers in Meat and Poultry Processing Facilities ― United States, April–May 2020 (Early release July 7, 2020)

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

• Percentage of Adults Aged ≥65 Years Who Received Care at Home From a Nurse or Other Health Care Professional During the Past 12 Months, by Age Group — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 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.