Content about Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

November 28, 2011
CDC: Elderly patients at risk of emergency hospitalizations from blood thinners, diabetes medications

Many elderly patients put themselves at risk for emergency hospitalization due to adverse drug events, according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

ATLANTA — Many elderly patients put themselves at risk for emergency hospitalization due to adverse drug events, according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

November 16, 2011
Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance launches programs in D.C. area

Rite Aid, UnitedHealth Group and the YMCA are partnering to offer community-based programs to combat Type 2 diabetes in the Washington, D.C., area through the Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance, the three companies said.

WASHINGTON — Rite Aid, UnitedHealth Group and the YMCA are partnering to offer community-based programs to combat Type 2 diabetes in the Washington, D.C., area through the Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance, the three companies said.

November 15, 2011
This November, Colgate Total supports Stop Diabetes movement

In support of National Diabetes Month, Colgate Total is donating $100,000 to help support Stop Diabetes, a movement launched by the American Diabetes Association to help educate and increase awareness of the link between oral health and diabetes.

NEW YORK — In support of National Diabetes Month, Colgate Total is donating $100,000 to help support Stop Diabetes, a movement launched by the American Diabetes Association to help educate and increase awareness of the link between oral health and diabetes.

November 11, 2011
CDC: 7-in-10 smokers want to quit; half have tried in past year

Most American adults who smoke wish they could quit, and more than half have tried within the past year, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Thursday.

ATLANTA — Most American adults who smoke wish they could quit, and more than half have tried within the past year, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Thursday.

November 10, 2011
Walgreens fields 500-plus HIV Centers of Excellence pharmacies

Walgreens now has certified more than 500 of its pharmacies as HIV Centers of Excellence in communities highly impacted by HIV, as identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the pharmacy operator announced Thursday at the U.S. Conference on AIDS.

CHICAGO — Walgreens now has certified more than 500 of its pharmacies as HIV Centers of Excellence in communities highly impacted by HIV, as identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the pharmacy operator announced Thursday at the U.S. Conference on AIDS.

November 9, 2011
CDC to host Twitter chat in honor of Get Smart About Antibiotics Week

In honor of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Get Smart About Antibiotics Week, the CDC will host a discussion on Twitter that will underscore the importance of appropriate antibiotic use.

ATLANTA — In honor of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Get Smart About Antibiotics Week, the CDC will host a discussion on Twitter that will underscore the importance of appropriate antibiotic use.

The awareness week, which was first established in 2008, will begin Monday, while the Twitter chat is scheduled to take place on Tuesday. The discussion encourages a dialogue between healthcare professionals and members of the CDC on ways to improve antibiotic use in healthcare settings and more.

October 25, 2011
CDC panel recommends HPV vaccination for boys

An advisory committee of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that all boys ages 11 and 12 years old get vaccinated against human papillomavirus, the CDC said Tuesday.

ATLANTA — An advisory committee of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that all boys ages 11 and 12 years old get vaccinated against human papillomavirus, the CDC said Tuesday.

The agency said the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted for recommending routine vaccination of boys with three doses of HPV4 to protect against the virus. The vaccination is able to prevent such HPV-related conditions as cancer and prevent the spread of the virus to sexual partners. The recommendation is still subject to the CDC's approval, the agency said.

October 21, 2011
CDC, Walgreens pharmacists on hand for Black Women's Roundtable event

The Black Women's Roundtable, part of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, will host an event this Saturday that will have representatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Walgreens pharmacists on hand to address health issues and administer free flu shots, the group announced Friday.

RIVERDALE, Ga. — The Black Women's Roundtable, part of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, will host an event this Saturday that will have representatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Walgreens pharmacists on hand to address health issues and administer free flu shots, the group announced Friday.

October 21, 2011
CDC: More than 10% of American adolescents, adults take antidepressants

More than 1-in-10 Americans ages 12 years and older take antidepressants, and the rate of antidepressant use in the United States among all ages increased 400% between 1988 and 2008, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics.

ATLANTA — More than 1-in-10 Americans ages 12 years and older take antidepressants, and the rate of antidepressant use in the United States among all ages increased 400% between 1988 and 2008, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics.

October 21, 2011
Measles cases highest in 15 years, at 212 and counting

This year’s jump in measles in the United States and Canada was costly and occurred among unvaccinated children and adults, suggested several studies being presented at the 49th Annual Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America here Thursday.

BOSTON — This year’s jump in measles in the United States and Canada was costly and occurred among unvaccinated children and adults, suggested several studies being presented at the 49th Annual Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America here Thursday.

October 18, 2011
APhA Foundation launches cardiovascular health initiative

The American Pharmacists Association Foundation announced Tuesday the launch of a cardiovascular health initiative.

WASHINGTON — The American Pharmacists Association Foundation announced Tuesday the launch of a cardiovascular health initiative.

October 17, 2011
In latest report, CDC says flu incidence is low

Flu activity in the United States for the 2011-2012 season currently is low, making it an ideal time for Americans to get vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

WASHINGTON — Flu activity in the United States for the 2011-2012 season currently is low, making it an ideal time for Americans to get vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

October 14, 2011
CDC: Reductions in heart disease rates vary by geography, race, ethnicity

Despite declines in the number of Americans reporting coronary heart disease, rates vary widely between states and between racial and ethnic groups, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

ATLANTA — Despite declines in the number of Americans reporting coronary heart disease, rates vary widely between states and between racial and ethnic groups, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

October 13, 2011
Abusable prescription drugs easy to find for young people, survey finds

More than half of parents in Massachusetts said their children have access to prescription drugs that could be abused, according to a new survey.

BOSTON — More than half of parents in Massachusetts said their children have access to prescription drugs that could be abused, according to a new survey.

October 13, 2011
CDC: Condom use up among teens

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday reported that the use of condoms is up in teen males.

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday reported that the use of condoms is up in teen males.

October 11, 2011
Vaccinations a step in expanding pharmacist role

Along with major paradigm shifts in how people communicate, read and do business, the way they receive healthcare services is changing dramatically, and retail pharmacies are at the front line.


Along with major paradigm shifts in how people communicate, read and do business, the way they receive healthcare services is changing dramatically, and retail pharmacies are at the front line.


October 11, 2011
WAG offering free 
diagnostic screenings

Walgreens last month announced its offer of free blood-pressure checks, along with complementary healthcare professional consultations, as its contribution to the Million Hearts campaign, sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.


DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens last month announced its offer of free blood-pressure checks, along with complementary healthcare professional consultations, as its contribution to the Million Hearts campaign, sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.


October 11, 2011
Walgreens Flu Impact Report: Flu derailed 3 million travel plans

The typical flu season always coincides with the busiest travel period of the year, and last season that spelled trouble for more than 3 million U.S. vacationers whose trips were interrupted by flu-related illness, according to the Walgreens Flu Impact Report released Tuesday.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The typical flu season always coincides with the busiest travel period of the year, and last season that spelled trouble for more than 3 million U.S. vacationers whose trips were interrupted by flu-related illness, according to the "Walgreens Flu Impact Report" released Tuesday.

The findings in part two of the survey examining the effects of influenza on people's everyday lives, released today, showed how the flu affected Americans' vacations, holidays, social engagements, sporting events and more.

October 5, 2011
APhA urges Americans to talk to pharmacists about diabetes

The American Pharmacists Association is marking American Pharmacists Month by pushing people to work with their pharmacists to combat and control diabetes.

WASHINGTON — The American Pharmacists Association is marking American Pharmacists Month by pushing people to work with their pharmacists to combat and control diabetes.

The APhA is promoting services that pharmacists can provide, such as medication therapy management, counseling on physical activity and nutrition, blood-glucose monitoring and guidance on healthy behavior and health maintenance.

September 30, 2011
CDC dispenses $25 million to battle childhood obesity

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday launched a new effort to address childhood obesity using successful elements of both primary care and public health. As much as $25 million in funding made available through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will support a four-year Childhood Obesity Demonstration Project.

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday launched a new effort to address childhood obesity using successful elements of both primary care and public health. As much as $25 million in funding made available through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will support a four-year Childhood Obesity Demonstration Project. The project will build on existing community efforts and will work to identify effective healthcare and community strategies to support children’s healthy eating and active living, and help combat childhood obesity.

September 16, 2011
CDC: Flu-associated deaths among young people could be prevented if they are vaccinated

New research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 115 people ages 18 years and younger died from influenza-related causes between September 2010 and August 2011.

ATLANTA — New research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 115 people ages 18 years and younger died from influenza-related causes between September 2010 and August 2011.

Despite the agency issuing a recommendation for vaccination of all children ages 6 months and older back in 2008, only 23% of the 74 children older than 6 months of age with a known vaccination history had received their flu vaccine last season.

September 13, 2011
Walgreens partners with U.S. health agencies to combat heart disease

Walgreens, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Tuesday announced the kick-off of the Million Hearts Initiative, a public and private sector initiative to help prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over five years.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Tuesday announced the kick-off of the Million Hearts Initiative, a public and private sector initiative to help prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over five years.

September 6, 2011
Both number of smokers and frequency of tobacco use on decline

Not only are there fewer smokers across the country, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released Tuesday, but the men and women that are still smoking also are smoking less.

ATLANTA — Not only are there fewer smokers across the country, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released Tuesday, but the men and women that are still smoking also are smoking less.

The report, which covered data from 2005 to 2010, showed an estimated 19.3% of American adults, ages 18 years and older, continue to smoke, a decline from 20.9% in 2005.

September 6, 2011
CDC reports rise in child vaccinations

Childhood vaccination rates are on the rise, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

ATLANTA — Childhood vaccination rates are on the rise, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC's 2010 National Immunization Survey of more than 17,000 households found that among children born between January 2007 and July 2009, immunizations for measles, mumps, rubella, rotavirus, hepatitis A, pneumococcal disease and haemophilus influenza type B were at 90% or more. In addition, vaccinations against polio, chickenpox and hepatitis B were remained at or above 90%.

September 6, 2011
Inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics noted in new CDC report

The number of antibiotic prescriptions sought for acute respiratory infections decreased by 24% between 1993 and 2008, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's latest "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly" report.

ATLANTA — The number of antibiotic prescriptions sought for acute respiratory infections decreased by 24% between 1993 and 2008, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's latest "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly" report.

While this drop may be substantial, the CDC found that nearly 60% of antibiotic prescriptions for office visits among children ages 14 years and younger were for ARIs, most episodes of which do not require antibiotic therapy.