MMWR News Synopsis

Articles

Characteristics of Adults Aged ≥18 Years Evaluated for Substance Use and Treatment Planning — United States, 2019

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Among U.S. adults assessed for substance use treatment during 2019, alcohol use (36%) and polysubstance (33%) use (use of two or more substances) were most commonly reported in the past 30 days. More than one third (35%) of people also reported experiencing moderate to extremely severe psychiatric problems. These findings highlight the need to incorporate polysubstance use and mental health problems into substance use prevention, treatment, and response initiatives, and improve linkages to services. This study aimed to identify substance use patterns and assess the severity of challenges faced by adults seeking treatment for substance use disorder. CDC examined 2019 data from approximately 49,000 adults aged 18 years or older who were assessed for substance use at 399 treatment centers in the United States. Alcohol was the most commonly reported substance used in the past 30 days (36%), followed by cannabis (25%), prescription opioid misuse (19%), illicit stimulants (14%), heroin (10%), prescription sedatives/tranquilizers (8%), cocaine (7%), illicit fentanyl (5%), and prescription stimulant misuse (1.8%). Nearly one third of all assessments involved polysubstance use (33%), and moderate to extremely severe problems in multiple life areas were reported, including more than one third of individuals (35%) reporting psychiatric problems.

COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage, by Race and Ethnicity — National Immunization Survey Adult COVID Module, United States, December 2020–November 202.

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A new CDC report shows reduced disparities in vaccination coverage for people in some racial and ethnic minority groups between December 2020 and November 2021. The data show that adults in most racial and ethnic minority groups had lower vaccination rates compared with non-Hispanic White adults in April 2021, but by the end of November, vaccination rates for non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander adults had caught up to the rate for non-Hispanic White adults. Equitable access to COVID-19 vaccination for all is critical to reducing disparities in vaccination coverage, illness, and death by race and ethnicity. Considerable organized efforts to provide equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines might have contributed to closing the coverage gap. Some of these efforts include CDC-awarded funding to U.S. jurisdictions and partner organizations and making COVID-19 vaccines free of charge at hospitals and pharmacies, particularly among people disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Tailored efforts including community partnerships and trusted sources of information could be used to increase vaccination coverage among the groups with identified persistent disparities and can help achieve vaccination equity and prevent new disparities by race and ethnicity in booster dose coverage.

Previously Released: Monkeypox Outbreak — Nine States, May 2022

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Previously Released: Ventilation Improvement Strategies Among K–12 Public Schools — The National School COVID-19 Prevention Study, United States, February 14–March 27, 2022

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• Initial Outbreak Response Activity Following Wild Poliovirus Type 1 Detection — Malawi, February 2022Upon detection of a wild poliovirus type 1 case in Malawi in February 2022, the Malawi Ministry of Health (MOH) immediately declared an emergency. The MOH, along with Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners, planned and implemented enhanced acute flaccid paralysis surveillance as well as multiple rounds of vaccination campaigns to protect millions of children. In February 2022, a case of wild poliovirus type 1 was confirmed in Malawi. Within 24 hours, the Malawi MOH declared a public health emergency and activated the country’s emergency operations center. Within days, GPEI partners arrived to support the MOH in strengthening acute flaccid paralysis surveillance, training clinicians and public health professionals, and organizing nationwide supplementary immunization activities (SIA). The first SIA began on March 21, 2022, and three additional rounds are planned over the coming months. Additionally, GPEI engaged with MOHs in Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zambia to increase their preparedness for potential cross-border spread of the virus by enhancing surveillance and conducting subnational SIAs. Until polio is eradicated worldwide, all countries must maintain high vaccination coverage, as well as be vigilant and prepared to respond.

• Percentage of Adults Aged ≥18 Years with Diagnosed Heart Disease, by Urbanization Level and Age Group — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2020

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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.