2014 Video Archive
Beyond the Data brings you “take home” messages for you to use in your practice, in your classroom and in your home.
January 2014
Science Impact
Dr. Tanja Popovic and Dr. Mary Ari discuss efforts to measure the impact of CDC science. This exciting project provides an opportunity for scientists to more efficiently track and monitor the impact of public health work on health outcomes. Why is this so important? The CDC Science Impact Framework:
- Helps us track and monitor the impact of our work
- Measures impact retroactively and in real time
- Aids in making improvements in public health practice or policy
- Useful for anyone, and can be adjusted to fit many organizations and areas of work
February 2014
Preventing Youth Violence
Dr. John Iskander and Dr. Howard Spivak discuss youth violence prevention strategies. Effective prevention should involve a combination of strategies that focus on several levels of influence:
- Individual – wraparound services and mentorship
- Parents – modeling proper conflict resolution
- Community – development of green space and volunteerism activities
- Policy – economic development and economic empowerment zones
March 2014
Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis: Tools for Tackling a New Face of an Old Foe
Dr. John Iskander and Dr. Sarita Shah discuss the public health burden of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) and the new tools that are available for more accurate diagnosis and treatment of MDR TB. Revolutionary tests will allow for faster diagnosis and new drugs offer better treatment with fewer side effects, but patients and providers must also do their part to combat this health epidemic
Patients must:
- Come to their providers in a timely fashion and
- Complete the full course of treatment
Providers must:
- Improve diagnosis and treatment of drug susceptible TB and
- Emphasize proper Infection control practices
April 2014
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Dr. John Iskander and Jon Baio discuss some of the complex challenges of understanding and diagnosing autism spectrum disorder. Most recent data shows that prevalence estimates have more than doubled and a much larger number of children are being diagnosed, while the median age of first diagnosis remains older than age 4. The greatest potential for long term impact in this area lies in earlier diagnosis, from older than 4 years old to 2 years old, and starting treatment sooner to get maximum benefit.
May 2014
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for Prevention of HIV
Dr. John Iskander sits down with Dr. Dawn Smith and Dr. Melanie Thompson to discuss Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) as an HIV prevention tool. When taken consistently, PrEP has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection by up to 92%.
Patients should know that
- PrEP is very well tolerated
- No serious side effects were observed and
- When taken as directed, PrEP is effective
Practitioners should be aware that
- PrEP is approved for use in populations with substantial risk of ongoing exposure
- Several resources are available to aid in learning about and prescribing PrEP and
- Talking to patients about medication adherence and risk reduction is key to efficacy
June 2014
The 25th Anniversary of the Discovery of the Hepatitis C Virus
Dr. Phoebe Thorpe and Dr. John Ward discuss the latest curative breakthroughs in treating chronic Hepatitis C infection.
- These new developments are making history in medicine<br />
- The "baby boomer" generation (individuals born between 1945 and 1965) is at substantially higher risk
- High risk individuals should ask for a Hepatitis C screening test during their next scheduled visit.
- Data shows that it is very cost effective to treat and cure HCV infected
October 2012
Infant Mortality
Dr. John Iskander and Dr. Wanda Barfield discuss important new updates in infant mortality reduction. Since the initial presentation of “Public Health Approaches to Reducing U.S. Infant Mortality” in 2012:
- Overall rates of infant deaths have continued to decline
- Risk factors for mortality such as preterm birth have been reduced
- CDC has launched the tips from former smokers campaign focusing on the need to stop smoking during pregnancy
- Large collaborative initiatives were started to address geographic disparities and improve quality of care to pregnant women
August 2014
Time for Public Health Action on Infertility
Dr. Phoebe Thorpe and Dr. Lee Warner discuss infertility as a public health issue.
Individuals should know that:
- Infertility is personally devastating and results in several quality of life challenges
- It is a disease that affects both men and women
- There are organizations that provide support – RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association and The American Fertility Association
Providers must:
- Focus on preconception care, including encouraging patients to stop smoking and weight management
- Preserve fertility of individuals being treated with chemotherapy, especially adolescents
Public health can:
- Continue efforts to reduce preventable risk factors such as sexually transmitted diseases, obesity and smoking
- Improve surveillance to identify and address racial and geographic disparities in both risk factors and access to treatment
September 2014
Beyond the Data — Preventing A Million Heart Attacks and StrokesT
Dr. John Iskander and Dr. Janet Wright discuss the progress that has been made with Million Hearts®, along with the work that is still needed to reach the goal of preventing one million heart attacks and strokes by 2017.
Providers should:
- Utilize electronic health records to proactively reach individuals with elevated blood pressure or cholesterol
- Place emphasis on detecting cases of uncontrolled high blood pressure which are hiding in plain sight
Communities can:
- Implement smoke-free policies to lower exposure to smoke
- Adopt food procurement policies that make healthier foods more readily available
- Encourage and train individuals to self-monitor their blood pressure
September 2014
Beyond the Data — How Pharmacists Can Improve Our Nation’s Health
Dr. John Iskander and Dr. Lori Hall explore the impact of pharmacists on health care and public health when included as contributors to a patient’s healthcare team. Pharmacists:
- Tend to be underutilized, despite their training and experience
- Are medication experts, but they do more than just dispense medication
Involving pharmacists in expanded roles:
- Increases the quality of care
- Improves patient control of disorders and illnesses
- Reduces healthcare cost
November 2014
Beyond the Data — Unusual Transplant-associated Infections: Just How Unusual?
Dr. Phoebe Thorpe and Dr. Sherif Zaki discuss the important work being done to further reduce the risk of unusual transplant-associated infections.
Ensure that organs are safe requires:
- Involvement by many disciplines including: pathologists, epidemiologists, clinicians, and others
- Global collaboration between federal and state agencies as well as academic institutions
- Continued focus on improving regulations and screening procedures
CDC and its organ transplantation partners encourage viewers to consider organ donation – it really is a gift of life.
November 2014
Beyond the Data — Climate Change and Health – From Science to Practice
Dr. John Iskander and Dr. George Luber discuss some of the challenges associated with global climate change. The health impact of the changing climate is wide-ranging, including:
- Increased frequency and severity of chronic disease and infectious disease cases
- Negative impact on mental health and sense of well-being,
- Exposure to extreme weather and health concerns in areas that were previously unaffected.
Public health agencies must:
- Use their prevention expertise to assess the vulnerability of communities,
- Prepare for potential negative health outcomes before they occur,
- Work together at various levels to protect human health and well-being.
- Page last reviewed: April 24, 2014
- Page last updated: April 24, 2014
- Content source:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Page maintained by: Office of Associate Director of Communication, Division of Public Affairs