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Articles

Anemia Among Pregnant Women Participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children — United States, 2008–2018

An analysis of pregnant women participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) found that the percentage of pregnant WIC participants with anemia increased from 10.1% in 2008 to 11.4% in 2018. The percentage with anemia was higher among non-Hispanic Black women than among other racial/ethnic groups. Iron requirements increase during pregnancy and iron deficiency is a common cause of anemia. During pregnancy, anemia can increase the risk of illness, death, premature delivery, and other adverse outcomes. In this study, researchers analyzed data from WIC, a program for low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 years who are at nutritional risk. They found that the percentage of anemia among pregnant WIC participants increased from 10.1% in 2008 to 11.4% in 2018. Among 56 WIC agencies (50 states, Washington DC, and five territories), anemia prevalence increased in 36 (64%) agencies and decreased in 11 (20%). Anemia prevalence was consistently higher among non-Hispanic Black women compared to other racial/ethnic groups and highest during the third trimester across all racial/ethnic groups. These findings highlight the need for evidence-based interventions addressing anemia among pregnant women living at lower income levels. This includes efforts/programs to ensure low-income women have access to healthier, iron-rich foods before and during pregnancy and that eligible women are enrolled in WIC early during pregnancy.

HIV Testing Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, 2019–2020

New CDC data show a large drop in HIV testing among key groups from 2019 to 2020. To compensate for HIV testing and diagnoses missed during the COVID-19 pandemic, CDC encourages partnerships between state and local health departments, community-based organizations, and health care systems to increase access to HIV testing services. CDC data published ahead of National HIV Testing Day (June 27) show a large drop in CDC-funded HIV tests in health care and non-health care settings (43% and 50%, respectively) from 2019 to 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. In non-health care settings — where people who get tested for HIV provide information about race/ethnicity and transmission — reported HIV tests decreased 49% among gay and bisexual men, 47% among transgender people, 46% among Hispanic and Latino people, and 44% among Black and African American people. Scaling up key HIV prevention efforts, which include expanding routine screening in health care settings and locally tailored HIV testing efforts in non-health care settings, such as HIV self-testing, will be essential to reducing HIV-related disparities and achieving national HIV prevention goals.

Previously Released: Dispensing of Oral Antiviral Drugs for Treatment of COVID-19 by Zip Code–Level Social Vulnerability — United States, December 23, 2021–May 21, 2022

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Previously Released: Hospitalization and Emergency Department Encounters for COVID-19 After Paxlovid Treatment — California, December 2021–May 2022

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

• Percentage of Uninsured Adults Aged 18–64 Years, by Race and Selected Hispanic Origin Subgroup — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2019−2020

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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.