MMWR News Synopsis

Articles

Persistent Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Fatal Unintentional Drowning Rates Among Persons Aged ≤29 Years — United States, 1999–2019

CDC Media Relations
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Drowning death rates have decreased in recent decades yet remain disproportionately high among some racial and ethnic groups. Implementing and evaluating community-based interventions to promote basic swimming and water safety skills among these groups could help reduce disparities. From 1999–2019, more than 34,000 people aged 29 years and younger died from drowning in the United States — making drowning one of the three leading causes of unintentional injury death among this age group. Compared with White people, American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) people had drowning death rates two times higher, and Black people had drowning rates 1.5 times higher. Disparities between Black and White people increased from 2005–2019. Drowning is preventable. Better understanding the factors that drive racial and ethnic differences in drowning risk and improving access to drowning prevention programs, such as increased basic swimming and water safety skills, can help reduce disparities and save lives.

Hepatitis A Virus Infections Among Men Who Have Sex with Men — Eight U.S. States, 2017–2018

CDC Media Relations
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Although men who have sex with men (MSM) are a risk group recommended to receive hepatitis A vaccination, increases of hepatitis A infections among MSM occurred in eight states during 2017-2018. Outreach and vaccination of MSM should occur to prevent hepatitis A transmission among this at-risk population. Hepatitis A outbreaks among MSM have been reported previously; evidence of increased risk of hepatitis A virus infection led the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in 1996 to include MSM as a risk group that should receive hepatitis A vaccination. The current study reveals that during January 1, 2017–October 31, 2018, CDC received reports of 260 cases of hepatitis A among MSM from eight state health departments, compared with only 16 cases from all 50 states during 2013─2015. Targeted outreach to MSM, including efforts that increase knowledge about hepatitis A infection and improve access to vaccination services (such as providing convenient locations for vaccination) are needed to improve hepatitis A vaccination coverage among MSM and to help prevent outbreaks.

Mental Health Among Parents of Children Aged <18 Years and Unpaid Caregivers of Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, December 2020 and February–March 2021

CDC Media Relations
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A new survey conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic found that adults taking care of children under 18 years of age, unpaid caregivers of adults, and people who were both parents and caregivers were more likely to experience adverse mental health symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts compared with adults without these responsibilities. The COVID-19 Outbreak Public Evaluation Initiative (COPE) survey included more than 10,000 U.S. adults in December 2020 and February–March 2021. It found that 7 in 10 adults with a parenting role (including unpaid caregivers of children) and unpaid caregivers of adults reported one or more symptoms of mental health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. These symptoms included anxiety or depression (55%), COVID-19 trauma- and stress-related disorders (54%), or passive (39%) or serious (32%) suicidal thoughts. Those balancing both roles of parenting children under 18 and caring for adults were eight times as likely to report having suicidal thoughts compared with U.S. adults who did not have these responsibilities.

Emergency Department Visits for Suspected Suicide Attempts Among Persons Aged 12–25 Years Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, January 2019–May 2021 (Early Release June 11, 2021)

CDC Media Relations
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COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Pregnant Women During Pregnancy — Eight Integrated Health Care Organizations, United States, December 14, 2020–May 8, 2021 (Early Release June 15, 2021)

CDC Media Relations
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• Percentage of Adults Aged ≥50 Years Who Ever Received a Shingles Vaccine, by Race and Hispanic Origin and Sex — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2019

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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.