Synopsis for March 9, 2001

MMWR articles are embargoed until 4 p.m. E.S.T. Thursdays.

1. Trends in Screening for Colorectal Cancer — United States, 1997 and 1999
2. Physical Activity Trends in the United States, 1990–1998
3. Sudden Death in a Traveler Following Halofantrine Administration — Togo, 2000

Trends in Screening for Colorectal Cancer — United States, 1997 and 1999

CDC recommends that men and women 50 and older begin regular screening for colorectal cancer.

Despite strong scientific evidence that regular screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) can reduce numbers of cases and deaths from this disease, current screening rates remain very low. In 1999, of the more than 65,000 adults aged 50 and older who responded to CDC’s ongoing telephone survey (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System [BRFSS]) regarding their use of CRC screening tests, only 44% reported having had at least one of the tests within the recommended time intervals. This is only a slight increase from reported screening rates measured in 1997. The federal government encourages all men and women 50 and older to begin regular screening for colorectal cancer and encourages health care providers to recommend CRC screening to their patients. These efforts are reinforced through a national media campaign and an educational tool for health care providers.

Physical Activity Trends in the United States, 1990–1998

Levels of physical activity in the 1990s remained unchanged--only 25 percent of U.S. adults were at least moderately active.

To determine national estimates of leisure-time physical activity during 1990-1998, data were obtained from CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). BRFSS is a population-based, telephone survey of the U.S. population (civilian and non-institutionalized) 18 years of age or older. Physical activity trends during the 1990's remained unchanged. Between 1990 and 1998 only one-quarter of U.S. adults aged 18 and over met the physical activity recommendations of moderate intensity activity on at least 5 days per week for at least 30 minutes per day, or vigorous activity on at least 3 days per week for at least 20 minutes per day. Three out of four U.S. adults were not physically active enough to obtain health benefits.

Sudden Death in a Traveler Following Halofantrine Administration — Togo, 2000

Halofantrine can be potentially harmful for those with underlying cardiac abnormalities or those taking mefloquine (Lariam) for malaria prophylaxis.

In July, 2000, a previously healthy U.S. student collapsed and died while leading a teenage exchange group in Togo, West Africa after taking halofantrine for presumed malaria. Halofantrine is an antimalarial drug with known adverse cardiac effects in some persons, particularly those with underlying cardiac abnormalities and those taking mefloquine (Lariam), a frequently recommended drug for malaria prophylaxis. Although halofantrine is approved for use in the United States, it is not currently marketed here but is available internationally. Travelers and physicians who provide travel medicine advice should be aware of the potential dangers of halofantrine. Ideally, halofantrine would be used only for cases of laboratory-confirmed malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum and when no other effective therapies are available.

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