MMWR News Synopsis
Friday, November 27, 2020
- Sexual Violence in the Media: An Exploration of Traditional Print Media Reporting in the United States, 2014–2017
- Decline in SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies After Mild Infection Among Frontline Health Care Personnel in a Multistate Hospital Network — 12 States, April–August 2020
- Implementation of Hospital Practices Supportive of Breastfeeding in the Context of COVID-19 — United States, July 15–August 20, 2020
- COVID-19 Outbreak Associated with a 10-Day Motorcycle Rally in a Neighboring State — Minnesota, August–September 2020 (Early release November 20, 2020)
- Trends in County-Level COVID-19 Incidence in Counties With and Without a Mask Mandate — Kansas, June 1–August 23, 2020 (Early release November 20, 2020)
- The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ Ethical Principles for Allocating Initial Supplies of COVID-19 Vaccine — United States, 2020 (Early release November 23, 2020)
- Timing of introduction to complementary Foods — United States, 2016–2018
- Prevalence and Trends in Cigarette Smoking among Adults with Epilepsy — United States, 2010–2017
- Surveillance Summaries
- QuickStats
Articles
Sexual Violence in the Media: An Exploration of Traditional Print Media Reporting in the United States, 2014–2017
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
Portrayals of sexual violence in the media vary by region and may influence public perceptions, which can impact social norms and behavior. This study found differences regionally and across multiple time periods in types of sexual violence covered, media language used, and outcomes reported in 2017 news stories compared with those from 2014–2016. To assess media portrayals of sexual violence, investigators conducted a systematic random sample of newspaper articles from 48 of the top 50 distributed traditional print media outlets for sexual violence content and potential differences by geographic region and year of publication. National outlets published a significantly higher percentage of articles on sexual harassment than all other regions. National outlets used the term “sex scandal” or “scandal” more frequently than all four regions. Word choice can impact public perception of sexual violence. A “sex scandal” may be interpreted much differently than “sexual assault” by readers. Overall, compared to regional outlets, a greater percentage of articles in national outlets used sex scandal and sex/intercourse language instead of the suggested “sexual assault” language. However, more national outlets than regional outlets included calls for prevention. The media, as an institution that can influence social norms, might contribute to sexual violence prevention by establishing sexual violence as a public health issue and including messages and resources for prevention. By doing so, awareness of the problem and prevention messaging might reach broader audiences.
Decline in SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies After Mild Infection Among Frontline Health Care Personnel in a Multistate Hospital Network — 12 States, April–August 2020
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
A new CDC report shows that among frontline healthcare workers with antibodies against the virus that causes COVID-19, almost all had declines in antibody levels at 60 days. Because antibody levels decline over time, a negative antibody test cannot reliably rule out prior COVID-19 infection. It is also unclear if declines in antibody response increase the risk of reinfection. A study of 156 U.S. healthcare workers who tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies in spring 2020 found that antibody levels declined over time. Nearly 94% (146) of the healthcare workers had antibody levels decline between testing at baseline and 60 days. Over 28% (44) had antibody decline to levels below the threshold for a positive test result. Although the precise timeline remains undetermined, the study estimates COVID-19 antibodies, which generally develop within two to three weeks of infection, are likely to decline within 60 days. The findings suggest many people infected with COVID-19 might have negative antibody results when tested months after infection, likely causing an underestimation of COVID-19 incidence and limiting the use of antibody testing to determine prior infection. It is also unclear whether antibody decline increases the risk for reinfection. Until more is known about immunity following infection, wear a mask to protect others and yourself, stay six feet from others, wash your hands often, and avoid gatherings – even if you have already had COVID-19.
Implementation of Hospital Practices Supportive of Breastfeeding in the Context of COVID-19 — United States, July 15–August 20, 2020
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
A survey of 1,344 birth hospitals in the United States found hospitals’ implementation of infection prevention and control measures sometimes conflict with evidence-based maternity care to support breastfeeding. The report emphasizes the importance of balancing infection prevention and control measures with evidence-based care. Additional post-discharge breastfeeding support and follow-up care to ensure the well-being of the mother and her newborn may be needed. During Summer 2020 (July 15–August 20), CDC conducted a survey among 1,334 birth hospitals in the United States to assess practices and breastfeeding support during the birth hospitalization. The survey found that hospitals implemented a variety of practices to balance evidence-based maternity care with COVID-19-related infection prevention and control measures. For mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, 14.0% of hospitals discouraged and 6.5% prohibited immediate skin-to-skin contact between mother and newborn (skin-to-skin care); 37.8% discouraged and 5.3% prohibited staying in the same room as the newborn (rooming-in); 20.1% discouraged direct breastfeeding but would allow it based on the mother’s choice; and 12.7% did not support direct breastfeeding, but encouraged expressed breast milk feeding by a healthy caregiver. Nearly 1 in 5 hospitals reported that in-person lactation support had decreased during the pandemic, and nearly 3 out of 4 hospitals reported discharging mothers and newborns before 48 hours post-birth, which is considered a short maternity stay. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all newborns discharged less than 48 hours after birth should receive prompt follow-up by a pediatric healthcare provider to ensure optimal feeding. Additional post-discharge breastfeeding support and follow-up care may be needed to ensure the well-being of mothers and their newborns.
COVID-19 Outbreak Associated with a 10-Day Motorcycle Rally in a Neighboring State — Minnesota, August–September 2020 (Early release November 20, 2020)
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
Trends in County-Level COVID-19 Incidence in Counties With and Without a Mask Mandate — Kansas, June 1–August 23, 2020 (Early release November 20, 2020)
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ Ethical Principles for Allocating Initial Supplies of COVID-19 Vaccine — United States, 2020 (Early release November 23, 2020)
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
Timing of introduction to complementary Foods — United States, 2016–2018
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
Nearly 1 in 3 U.S. infants are introduced to complementary foods before they are developmentally ready. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing complementary foods, such as solid food or liquids other than breast milk or formula, around 6 months of age. This study found that 32% of infants were introduced to complementary foods before 4 months of age. Findings varied by state, ranging from 18.0% in New Mexico to 49.0% in Mississippi. This is the first study with state-level estimates of early introduction of complementary foods. Increased education about feeding recommendations, including possible effects of early introduction and signs of developmental readiness, may help increase exclusive breastfeeding through six months, improve infant health, and play a role in prevention of overweight and obesity.
Prevalence and Trends in Cigarette Smoking among Adults with Epilepsy — United States, 2010–2017
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
Cigarette smoking is more common among adults with epilepsy than among those without the disorder. Therefore, it is important to target adults with epilepsy who smoke to ensure they have smoking cessation resources to help them quit and decrease their risk of smoking-related disease and early death. On average between 2010 and 2017, 1 out of 4 U.S. adults with active epilepsy smoked cigarettes compared to about 1 out of 6 U.S. adults without epilepsy. Between 2010-2017, cigarette smoking did not decrease among adults with active epilepsy, as it did among adults without epilepsy. In addition to health and social service providers promoting smoking cessation resources to people with active epilepsy to help them quit smoking, a comprehensive approach to addressing tobacco prevention and control – including funding state tobacco control programs at CDC-recommended levels, increasing tobacco prices, implementing comprehensive smoke-free policies, conducting anti-tobacco mass media campaigns, and enhancing access to quitting assistance – can increase tobacco cessation and reduce tobacco-related disease and death among all adults, including those with epilepsy.
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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.
