MMWR News Synopsis

Articles

Gun Carrying Among Youths, by Demographic Characteristics, Associated Violence Experiences, and Risk Behaviors — United States, 2017–2019

CDC Media Relations
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A new CDC study shows that youth who experienced violence, suicidal thoughts or attempts, or substance use were more likely to carry a gun. These results highlight the importance of comprehensive approaches to preventing violence and suicide, including strategies focused on preventing youth substance use and gun carrying. Data from the 2017 and 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows that 1 in 15 males and 1 in 50 females reported carrying a gun in the past 12 months for other than recreational purposes. Gun carrying was significantly more likely among youths who experienced violence, suicidal thoughts or attempts, or substance use. These results underscore the importance of understanding and addressing the root causes of youth violence and suicide. Evidence-based ways to prevent violence include strengthening economic support, improving access and delivery of health care, creating protective environments, and teaching coping and problem-solving skills. To help states and communities use the best available evidence to prevent violence, CDC released resources that describe the evidence for programs, policies, and practices to reduce multiple forms of violence.

Progress Toward the Elimination of Mother-To-Child Transmission of Hepatitis B — Worldwide, 2016–2021 

CDC Media Relations
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Mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus, the leading cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer, can be prevented with hepatitis B birth dose vaccination (HepB-BD), but global progress has stalled, with 84 of 194 countries not providing the recommended universal HepB-BD to protect infants. In 2016, the World Health Assembly endorsed the elimination of hepatitis B by 2030, including elimination of mother-to-child transmission, the primary source of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. While nearly all countries have hepatitis B vaccines in their national immunization programs, only 110 (57%) provide the recommended universal HepB-BD within 24 hours of birth to prevent mother-to-child transmission, and 51 countries, mainly in Africa, have no HepB-BD. In 2020, fewer than half of infants globally were given a HepB-BD. Since 2016, global coverage with 3 doses of the hepatitis B vaccine has stalled at 84% and further declined in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Increasing hepatitis B vaccination coverage and accelerating HepB-BD introduction in the remaining countries are critical to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HBV.

Chronic Conditions Among Adults Aged 18–34 Years — United States, 2019 

CDC Media Relations
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More than half of young adults ages 18–34 years reported having at least one chronic condition, such as obesity, depression, and high blood pressure, and nearly one in four reported having more than one chronic condition in 2019. CDC analyzed data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to measure how common 11 chronic conditions among adults aged 18–34 years were and how common health-related risk behaviors were by chronic condition status. The most frequently reported conditions were obesity, depression, and high blood pressure. The prevalence of specific, as well as any chronic, conditions varied by population. Young adults with a chronic condition were more likely than those without one to report binge drinking, smoking, or physical inactivity. Coordinated efforts by public and private sectors may help raise awareness of chronic conditions among young adults and help improve the availability of evidence-based interventions, policies, and programs that are effective in preventing, treating, and managing chronic conditions for young adults.

Safety Monitoring of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Second Booster Doses Among Adults Aged ≥ 50 Years — United States, March 29, 2022–July 10, 2022 

CDC Media Relations
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A new CDC analysis found that among U.S. adults aged 50 years and older, reactions were less frequently reported to v-safe after the second mRNA booster (dose 4) than after the first mRNA booster dose (dose 3). During March 29–July 10, 2022, approximately 17 million U.S. adults aged 50 years and older received a fourth dose. People aged 50 years and older should receive a second mRNA booster dose (dose 4) at least 4 months after they get their first booster dose (dose 3). On March 29, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized a second mRNA booster dose at least 4 months after receipt of a first booster dose for people aged 12 years and older with moderate-to-severe weakened immune systems (dose 5) and adults aged 50 years and older (dose 4). To characterize the safety of a second mRNA booster dose (dose 4) among adults aged 50 years and older, CDC reviewed adverse events reported to v-safe and VAERS after receipt of a second mRNA booster dose (dose 4) during March 29–July 10, 2022. Vaccine safety experts identified no new safety concerns following the second mRNA booster dose (dose 4) in this age group. Local (itching, pain, redness, and/or swelling at the injection site) and systemic (fever, headache, joint pain) reactions were observed after the second mRNA booster dose (dose 4), and serious adverse events were rare. These findings are consistent with known adverse events after receipt of these vaccines and with the existing body of evidence that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are safe. CDC and FDA will continue to monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and provide updates as needed to inform future recommendations.

• Cluster of Parechovirus Central Nervous System Infections in Young Infants — Tennessee, 2022
  A cluster of 23 young infants with parechovirus infections affecting the central nervous system identified in middle Tennessee emphasizes the need for clinicians to consider parechovirus in young infants with fever, fussiness, poor feeding, and seizures. Parechovirus (PeV) causes a range of diseases from mild symptoms like gastroenteritis to severe manifestations like meningoencephalitis and seizures. Infants younger than 3 months of age are at increased risk for severe infections. This report describes a cluster of 23 young infants with PeV central nervous system (CNS) infections who were admitted to a single children’s hospital within 6 weeks. Most infants presented with fever, fussiness, and poor feeding without significant inflammation in the cerebrospinal fluid. Clinicians should consider testing young infants for PeV, especially during this summer/fall season, to help identify cases and improve care and appropriate follow-up. The reasons for this cluster of PeV CNS infections are unclear.

•  Age-Adjusted Suicide Rates for the Three Leading Methods of Suicide, by Race and Ethnicity — National Vital Statistics System, 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.