CDC

New CDC Study Shows Dangers of Exposure to Secondhand Smoke

August 13, 2008 -- Burlington, VT – During August and September, the Vermont Department of Health wants to help Vermonters create smoke-free zones to protect both children and adults from being exposed to the dangers of secondhand smoke.    » read more »

Public Health Releases New Risk Factor Data

August 13, 2008 -- Many Kentuckians report they are in poor health, have been diagnosed with chronic diseases, and don’t have access to health care, according to 2007 data released today by the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH).

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Systems, a survey, conducted by the Division of Prevention and Quality Improvement in DPH, looks at several health indicators, such as diet and physical activity, to determine the health and lifestyle habits of Kentuckians.    » read more »

Calls for Comprehensive Prevention Strategy and Increased Investment in Preventive Care

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) expressed concern over the findings of a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report showing that the number of new HIV infections is 40 percent higher than previously estimated.    » read more »

August, 2008 -- CHICAGO – To help injured disaster survivors that may be at risk for infection from blood-borne viruses or tetanus in the environment, new vaccine recommendations were released today in the latest issue of the American Medical Association (AMA) Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness journal. The recommendations are co-published with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).    » read more »

August, 2008 -- Home fire deaths are higher in states that have a greater percentage of smokers, according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study published this month in the journal Injury Prevention. If smoking at home is reduced or stopped, fewer residential fire deaths may result, the study said.    » read more »

Estimates from CDC Place New HIV Infections at More Than 56,000 for 2006

August 3, 2008 -- Washington, DC - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today underscored that HIV infection statistics released today using new methodology show the need for a more aggressive response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, particularly increased prevention efforts targeted to the communities at highest risk. According to these estimates released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 56,000 new HIV infections occurred among Americans in 2006, a higher rate of infection than found previously.    » read more »

August 3, 2008 -- ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain today issued the following statement on the report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that there were more new HIV infections in the United States than previously estimated:

"The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) yesterday announced that in 2006 there were 56,300 new HIV infections in United States -- significantly higher than the previous estimate of 40,000 cases. More than a million Americans live with this devastating disease. As President, I will work closely with non-profit, government, and private sector stakeholders to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS.    » read more »

July 17, 2008 -- The proportion of U.S. adults who self report they are obese increased nearly 2 percent between 2005 and 2007, according to a report in today′s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). An estimated 25.6 percent of U.S. adults reported being obese in 2007 compared to 23.9 percent in 2005, an increase of 1.7 percent. The report also finds that none of the 50 states or the District of Columbia has achieved the Healthy People 2010 goal to reduce obesity prevalence to 15 percent or less.    » read more »

Grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will enhance state, local public health emergency preparedness efforts

June 16, 2008 -- SPRINGFIELD – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that Illinois will receive nearly $20 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to further enhance state and local preparedness for public health emergencies.

The CDC recently notified the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) that the Department will receive $19.9 million, as part of a $705 million package that is being awarded nationwide to public health departments in states and territories, as well as in four major metropolitan areas. The City of Chicago will also receive $11.4 million as part of this package.    » read more »

April 14, 2008 -- Pregnancy rates for females under age 25, including teenagers, in the United States declined in 2004 compared to 1990, according to a report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The report says nearly 38 percent of pregnancies in 2004 were to women under age 25, down from nearly 43 percent in 1990.

Pregnancy: Photo by mahalie (CC)

The proportion of pregnancies among teens under age 20 dropped from 15 percent in 1990 to 12 percent in 2004.    » read more »

Statement Of CFA’s Carol Tucker-Foreman

April 11, 2008 -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control report on foodborne illness rates for seven pathogens in 2007 looks depressingly like the reports for the last six years. The U.S. is no closer to reducing the toll of foodborne illness today than it was in 2001.

Incidence of foodborne illness: Chart by CFA

Graphs portraying the record show a flat line stalled far above the National Health Objectives. Even the CDC acknowledges little or no progress since 2001 in combating illnesses caused by these pathogens.    » read more »

April 10, 2008 -- A 10-state report released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed little change in the incidence of some foodborne infections after a period of decline.

The findings are from 2007 data reported to the CDC as part of the agency′s Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, FoodNet.

Poultry products on store shelves: Photo by Jill (CC)    » read more »

April 7, 2008 -- Mothers who smoke early in pregnancy are more likely to give birth to infants with heart defects, according to a study funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The study, published in the April issue of Pediatrics, shows that women who smoked anytime during the month before pregnancy to the end of the first trimester were more likely to give birth to infants with certain congenital heart defects (CHDs) compared to women who did not smoke during this time period.

Women smoking: Photo by Luis (CC)

The association was stronger for mothers who reported heavier smoking during this time period.    » read more »

Increased Health Risk Associated with Lack of In-home Running Water

April 1, 2008 -- Rural Alaska Natives living without in-home access to running water have disproportionately higher rates of respiratory and skin infections, according to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study is the first to show an association in the United States between lack of in-home running water and prevalence of these diseases.    » read more »

April 1, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today released the following statement on the House Science and Technology Committee, Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight hearing on the failure of the Center for Disease Control to protect Gulf Coast residents from contaminated FEMA trailers in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita:

A FEMA trailer in New Orleans: Photo by Kris Fricke (CC)    » read more »