Content about Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

May 15, 2013

Program launched to raise awareness of depression among employers

According to a study published 10 years ago, depression costs $44 billion per year in lost productivity, but a new program is designed to raise awareness about depression in the workforce and its effects on productivity.

CANTON, Ohio — According to a study published 10 years ago, depression costs $44 billion per year in lost productivity, but a new program is designed to raise awareness about depression in the workforce and its effects on productivity.

May 3, 2013

CDC: 4-in-5 Americans not meeting government's Physical Activity Guidelines

Only 1-in-5 U.S. adults are meeting both the aerobic and muscle strengthening components of the federal government's physical activity recommendations, according to an article published Thursday in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a journal of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

ATLANTA — Only 1-in-5 U.S. adults are meeting both the aerobic and muscle strengthening components of the federal government's physical activity recommendations, according to an article published Thursday in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a journal of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

April 26, 2013

Obama administration hopes to tackle prescription drug abuse

More than 1.3 million emergency room visits in 2010 were related to abuse of prescription drugs, and the problem has become widespread enough that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies it as an epidemic. In response, curbing abuse of prescription drugs has become a cornerstone of the Obama administration's drug policy.

WASHINGTON — More than 1.3 million emergency room visits in 2010 were related to abuse of prescription drugs, and the problem has become widespread enough that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies it as an epidemic. In response, curbing abuse of prescription drugs has become a cornerstone of the Obama administration's drug policy.

April 17, 2013

Hearing focuses on FDA response to meningitis outbreak

Food and Drug Administration commissioner Margaret Hamburg faced strong criticism Tuesday in a hearing before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to investigate the nationwide outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy, but she conceded the agency could have done more.

WASHINGTON — Food and Drug Administration commissioner Margaret Hamburg faced strong criticism Tuesday in a hearing before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to investigate the nationwide outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy, but she conceded the agency could have done more.

April 11, 2013

Study finds wide disparities in antibiotic prescribing rates between South, Midwest

Research has indicated that about half of antibiotic prescriptions are unnecessary, raising concerns about the growth of bacteria resistant to them, but a new study by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also finds that prescriptions are highest in several states in the South and Midwest.

NEW YORK — Research has indicated that about half of antibiotic prescriptions are unnecessary, raising concerns about the growth of bacteria resistant to them, but a new study by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also finds that prescriptions are highest in several states in the South and Midwest.

The study, published Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine, was based on a database maintained by IMS Health that includes a sample of more than 70% of U.S. prescriptions.

April 9, 2013

Uninsured, young adults less likely to take medications as prescribed, CDC study finds

A desire to save money is driving younger and older adults to request cheaper drugs from their doctors, but it's also driving younger adults not to take their drugs as prescribed, according to a new study.

NEW YORK — A desire to save money is driving younger and older adults to request cheaper drugs from their doctors, but it's also driving younger adults not to take their drugs as prescribed, according to a new study.

April 2, 2013

Reports: Analysis finds steep rise in ADHD diagnoses among children

More than one-tenth of school-age children and nearly one-fifth of high school boys in the United States have received a diagnosis for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — More than one-tenth of school-age children and nearly one-fifth of high school boys in the United States have received a diagnosis for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to published reports.

The New York Times reported that the dramatic rise in the number of children diagnosed with ADHD over the last decade could lead to concern of over-diagnosis of the condition, as well as overuse of medications to treat it. The Times based its report on an analysis of raw data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

March 28, 2013

CDC launches second series of impactful 'quit smoking' ads

Continuing with the success of last year’s national education ad campaign, "Tips from Former Smokers," a second series of ads was launched Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

ATLANTA — Continuing with the success of last year’s national education ad campaign, "Tips from Former Smokers," a second series of ads was launched Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

March 25, 2013

CDC: Awareness of prediabetes rose slightly in 2009-2010

The percentage of people who are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and aware of it has risen slightly over the past few years, but remains low, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

ATLANTA — The percentage of people who are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and aware of it has risen slightly over the past few years, but remains low, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

March 25, 2013

CDC: Of the 105 flu-related pediatric deaths this season, 9-in-10 did not get a flu shot

An early look at this season’s reports indicates that about 90% of flu-related pediatric deaths occurred in children who had not received a flu vaccination this season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

ATLANTA — An early look at this season’s reports indicates that about 90% of flu-related pediatric deaths occurred in children who had not received a flu vaccination this season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday.

The number of influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported to the CDC during the current season surpassed 100 as an additional 6 deaths were reported in FluView last week. To date, this brings the total number of influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported to the CDC to 105 for the 2012-2013 season.

March 21, 2013

Ga. compounding pharmacy recalls all lots of sterile products

A compounding pharmacy in Georgia is recalling all of its sterile products following a Food and Drug Administration investigation that found possible lack of proper sanitation procedures, the FDA said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — A compounding pharmacy in Georgia is recalling all of its sterile products following a Food and Drug Administration investigation that found possible lack of proper sanitation procedures, the FDA said Thursday.

March 21, 2013

Study finds norovirus leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in infants, young children as rotavirus declines

Norovirus has emerged as the leading cause of gastroenteritis - inflammation of the stomach and intestines - in children younger than 5 years, according to a new study.

ATLANTA — Norovirus has emerged as the leading cause of gastroenteritis — inflammation of the stomach and intestines — in children younger than 5 years, according to a new study.

March 13, 2013

Meryl Streep appears in colorectal cancer-screening campaign

Actress Meryl Streep will encourage people to get screened for colorectal cancer in a new series of public service announcements from the Entertainment Industry Foundation's National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the groups said Wednesday.

LOS ANGELES — Actress Meryl Streep will encourage people to get screened for colorectal cancer in a new series of public service announcements from the Entertainment Industry Foundation's National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the groups said Wednesday.

March 11, 2013

'60 Minutes' report explores fungal meningitis outbreak

A report on CBS' "60 Minutes" Sunday explored the aftermath of the nationwide outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to the New England Compounding Center that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has sickened 720 people in 20 states and led to 48 deaths.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A report on CBS' "60 Minutes" Sunday explored the aftermath of the nationwide outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to the New England Compounding Center that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has sickened 720 people in 20 states and led to 48 deaths.

March 11, 2013

Legislation would expand Texas pharmacists' vaccination ability

Legislation proposed in Texas' state legislature would expand the range of vaccines that pharmacists can administer to children.

AUSTIN, Texas — Legislation proposed in Texas' state legislature would expand the range of vaccines that pharmacists can administer to children.

March 4, 2013

Sequester will hamper disease-prevention efforts, report warns

Automatic spending cuts stemming from the failure of Congress and the White House to reach a budget deal will likely harm the disease-preventing capabilities of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to a new report.

NEW YORK — Automatic spending cuts stemming from the failure of Congress and the White House to reach a budget deal will likely harm the disease-preventing capabilities of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to a new report.

GlobalData, a market research and analytics firm, said the slashing of the CDC's funding by $450 million, or 8%, due to the sequester would both hamper its ability to prevent infectious diseases through immunization, surveillance and response programs while also failing to accomplish the goal of decreasing federal spending.

March 4, 2013

WSJ: CDC sets stage for a four-strain flu shot for the next flu season

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention set the stage for the first quadrivalent influenza vaccine to be introduced in the 2013-2014 flu season, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.

NEW YORK — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week set the stage for the first quadrivalent influenza vaccine to be introduced in the 2013-2014 flu season, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.

Quadrivalent vaccines will contain two A strains and two B strains of flu. The triumvirate vaccines in use today contain two A strains and one B strain of flu.

February 28, 2013

Awareness, use of e-cigarettes increasing rapidly, CDC study finds

The number of adult smokers who had used electronic cigarettes more than doubled in the space of a year, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

ATLANTA — The number of adult smokers who had used electronic cigarettes more than doubled in the space of a year, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

February 25, 2013

CDC: Flu incidence drops to 2.8%

The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness was 2.8% for the week ended Feb. 16, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday, a strong indicator that the 2012-2013 flu season is on its way out.

ATLANTA — The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness was 2.8% for the week ended Feb. 16, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday, a strong indicator that the 2012-2013 flu season is on its way out. Nevada, New Jersey and Vermont were still reporting high ILI activity; while 13 states and New York City reported moderate activity; 11 states reported low activity; and 23 states reported minimal activity.

February 25, 2013

DSN Flu Tracker: Illustrating the 2012-2013 season

There were more sick people cruising the cold relief aisles this year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu incidence peaked at 6.1% this season, making this season the most virulent since the 2007-2008 season — excepting the H1N1 pandemic in 2009, which was atypical.

With that in mind, sales of cough and cold medicines — or sales of just about anything else that had something to do with the flu, from hand sanitizers to flu shots — were through the roof.

February 25, 2013

Spring forecast: Increase in allergy symptoms

As spring approaches, people with allergies can blame global warming for some of their suffering, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Weather conditions have a significant effect on the levels of pollen and mold in the air, which affects the severity of allergies.

That suggests mold allergens could be particularly prominent this spring given the extent of drought across the United States — dry and hot weather lifts molds from the soil to be carried by the air. In addition to tree pollen, springtime mold contributes to hay fever.

February 22, 2013

CDC: Effectiveness of flu vaccine in seniors only 9%

This year's triumvirate influenza vaccine was less effective in seniors as compared to the general population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report."

ATLANTA — This year's triumvirate influenza vaccine was less effective in seniors as compared to the general population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report" published Friday. Overall effectiveness of the vaccine was 56%, similar to an earlier interim estimate of 62%.

The adjusted, age-stratified vaccine effectiveness point estimates were 58% for children, 46% for adults younger than 50, 50% for men and women between the ages of 50 years and 64 years and 9% for seniors.

February 22, 2013

Community-based diabetes efforts should involve retail pharmacies

The YMCA is offering a demonstration project to show that its YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program — part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's broader National Diabetes Prevention Program — can lower the incidence of Type 2 diabetes and reduce medical costs incurred by Medicare. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation is funding the project, whereby YMCAs in 17 communities that deliver the program will offer it at no cost to 10,000 Medicare enrollees over the next three years, and the YMCA expects it to save Medicare $4.2 million over three years and $53 million over six years.

It's been said that, "It takes a village to raise a child," and because chronic disease is an issue that affects communities as a whole - not just individuals - it would make sense for community-based organizations to target a growing national health crisis like the diabetes epidemic.

February 19, 2013

Study finds dramatic improvement in blood-sugar control among diabetes patients

Control of A1C, blood pressure and cholesterol among patients with diabetes has improved markedly, but more room for improvement remains, according to a new study.

NEW YORK — Control of A1C, blood pressure and cholesterol among patients with diabetes has improved markedly, but more room for improvement remains, according to a new study.

February 15, 2013

NACDS Foundation sponsors nationwide heart-health initiatives

The philanthropic arm of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores is supporting various heart-health programs around the country to support a Department of Health and Human Services campaign.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The philanthropic arm of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores is supporting various heart-health programs around the country to support a Department of Health and Human Services campaign.

The NACDS Foundation announced the launch of the NACDS Foundation and Million Hearts "Heart to Heart Community Health Fairs," supporting HHS' "Team Up, Pressure Down" campaign. Various initiatives will take place in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.