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MMWR
Synopsis for June 25, 2004

The MMWR is embargoed until Thursday, 12 PM EDT.

  1. Voluntary HIV Testing as Part of Routine Medical Care — Massachusetts, 2002
  2. Cancer Survivorship — United States, 1971-2001
  3. Racial/Ethnic Trends in Fetal Mortality — United States, 1990-2000
  4. Progress Toward Global Eradication of Poliomyelitis — January 2003-April 2004
  5. West Nile Virus Activity — United States, June 16-22, 2004
No MMWR Telebriefing is scheduled for Thursday, June 24, 2004

Synopsis for June 25, 2004

Voluntary HIV Testing as Part of Routine Medical Care — Massachusetts, 2002

Findings from a study released today show that routine, voluntary HIV counseling, testing and referral (HIV CTR) programs can identify HIV-infected patients and effectively link them to care.

PRESS CONTACT:
Sue McGreevey

Massachusetts General Hospital
(617) 724-2764

 

“Think HIV,” an HIV CTR program implemented in four hospital urgent care centers in Massachusetts, tested over 3,000 patients during 2002 and found 60 to be HIV-infected. Of the 60 positive patients, 49 returned for their results and were referred for further prevention and care services. Of the first 42 patients for whom linkage-to-care data were available, all had at least one follow-up visit for HIV care. This 100 percent first appointment show-rate is much higher than the 34 percent rate seen in another urgent care routine testing program in Atlanta. Study authors note that the success of “Think HIV” is due, in part, to on-site, designated intake nurses from HIV outpatient clinics who ensured that newly identified HIV-infected patients had immediate communication with a member of their future health care team. Expanding voluntary, routine HIV testing is a main component of CDC’s strategy to reduce new HIV infections in the United States.

 

Cancer Survivorship — United States, 1971-2001

There are nearly 10 million cancer survivors in the United States and that number is expected to increase as the population ages and cancer detection and treatment improve.

PRESS CONTACT:
Office of Communications

CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
(770) 488-5131

 

The number of living persons who have ever received a diagnosis of cancer has risen steadily over the past three decades. It is estimated there are 9.8 million cancer survivors in the United States, representing approximately 3.5 percent of the population. Current figures indicate that for adults diagnosed with cancer today, 64 percent can expect to live at least five years. Between 1974 and 1976, only 50 percent of those diagnosed survived five or more years.

Increasingly, public attention and research are being focused on understanding the physical, psychosocial, and economic impacts of surviving cancer. As the United States population ages and as advances in cancer detection, treatment, and care are integrated into clinical practice, the number of cancer survivors is expected to increase. Two recent reports that address the issues of greatest importance to this population have been released – A National Action Plan for Cancer Survivorship and the President’s Cancer Panel’s Living Beyond Cancer: Finding a New Balance.

 

Racial/Ethnic Trends in Fetal Mortality — United States, 1990-2000

Fetal deaths are part of a spectrum of adverse pregnancy outcomes and should be recognized as an important public health problem. Improved fetal death reporting, population-based surveillance, and research is needed to prevent fetal deaths and reduce racial disparities.

PRESS CONTACT:
Office of Communications

CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
(770) 488-5131


 

This report examines recent trends in United States fetal mortality by age, plurality, race, and ethnicity for 1990 and 2000. Findings indicate there are nearly as many fetal deaths at 20 or greater weeks gestation in the United States as there are infant deaths less than 1 year of age. From 1990 to 2000, there was a 12 percent reduction in fetal mortality rates due to reductions in late fetal mortality (>28 weeks gestation); no improvement in early fetal mortality (20-27 weeks) was found. Despite the reduction in overall fetal morality, non-Hispanic black mothers were 1.7 times more likely to experience fetal mortality in 1990 compared to other racial/ethnic groups and this disparity persisted in 2000. In order to reduce fetal deaths, prevention strategies must first recognize fetal deaths as a public health problem, improve fetal death reporting, conduct research, and identify women at risk.

 

Progress Toward Global Eradication of Poliomyelitis — January 2003-April 2004

While substantial progress has been made in Asia and northern Africa, intense transmission in Nigeria jeopardizes the goal of polio eradication globally. To interrupt transmission, polio-endemic countries must intensify supplemental immunization activities (SIAs), countries affected by importations need to continue emergency response campaigns throughout 2004 and 2005, and emergency SIAs should be launched in 22 West and Central African countries.

PRESS CONTACT:
Julie Jenks

CDC National Immunization Program
(404) 639-8252

 

The World Health Assembly resolved to eradicate poliomyelitis globally in 1988. Since then, implementation of eradication strategies reduced the number of polio-endemic countries from >125 to 6 in 2003. Global polio cases decreased from 1,918 in 2002 to 784 in 2003, and 185 through April 2004.

India reported 83 percent of all global polio cases in 2002 and in response intensified supplemental immunization activities (SIAs) in 2003. India, Egypt and Pakistan have recorded the lowest level of transmission during the second half of 2003 and are at record lows in 2004.

Nigeria has reported the largest number of cases in 2003 and 2004. Low SIA quality and suspension of SIAs in some States led to intense transmission in northern Nigeria, re-infection of previously polio-free areas within the country, and exportation of poliovirus to 9 previously polio-free countries.

 

West Nile Virus Activity — United States, June 16-22, 2004


PRESS CONTACT:
Division of Media Relations

CDC, Office of Communications
(404) 639-3286

 

No summary available.

 

 

 

 


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