Synopsis for September 14, 2006

The MMWR is embargoed until Thursday, 12 PM EST.

1. State-Specific Prevalence of Obesity among Adults – United States, 2005
2. National, State, and Urban Area Vaccination Coverage among Children Aged 19-35 Months – United States, 2005
3. Response to Varicella Outbreaks – United States, 2003-2004
4. West Nile Virus Activity – United States, January 1-September 20, 2006

State-Specific Prevalence of Obesity among Adults – United States, 2005

The magnitude of this rising obesity trend and its implications for the health of the nation calls for a strong, sustained and effective response to alter the course of this epidemic with the main focus being nutrition and physical activity. This obesity trend emphasizes the need for increased efforts directed toward obesity prevention and control through integrated strategies, such as diet and physical activity, aimed at both individuals and their environments. Obesity is a major public health problem associated with many chronic diseases. According to a new study issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 6 out of 10 adults (60.5 percent) 18 years and older were overweight or obese (BMI greater than 25) with nearly a quarter of adults (23.9 percent) obese (BMI greater than 30) in the United States in 2005. The study evaluates data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) collected from all 50 states from 1995-2005. Data showed, in all 50 states, the proportion of adults classified as obese significantly increased during the past 10 years. The study found that no state had adult obesity prevalence over 20 percent in 1995, but increased dramatically to 46 states reporting obesity prevalence over 20 percent and three states reporting obesity prevalence over 30 percent by 2005.

National, State, and Urban Area Vaccination Coverage among Children Aged 19-35 Months – United States, 2005

In 2005, among 19-35 month old children, national coverage of the recommended vaccine and vaccine series remain at or near all-time high levels; coverage of pneumocccal conjugate vaccine (PCV) significantly increased, and no racial/ethnic disparities were observed among fully vaccinated children. The National Immunization Survey (NIS), reports that 2005 childhood immunization rates for vaccines routinely recommended for children, between 19 and 35 months of age, remain at or near record highs. For the first time since the survey was implemented, rates did not vary significantly by race and ethnicity. Estimated immunization coverage rates for children in this age group ranged from 79.5 percent for children of multiple race, 77.1 percent for Asian; 76.3 percent for black; 76.0 percent for white and for 75.6 percent for Hispanic children. From 2002 to 2004, coverage for the same series averaged 5.4 percent lower for African American children. The coverage levels varied substantially among states and the 27 urban areas. For example, estimated vaccination coverage among 19-35 month old children ranged from 90.7 percent in Massachusetts to 62.9 percent in Vermont. 

Response to Varicella Outbreaks – United States, 2003-2004

Although varicella disease has decreased as vaccination coverage has increased, varicella outbreaks are continuing to occur and are being reported and responded to by state and local health departments. The recent recommendation for a routine second dose of varicella vaccine should be an effective strategy to further prevent varicella cases and outbreaks. A national survey was conducted to obtain an estimate of the extent of varicella outbreaks that occurred in 2003-2004 and to learn more about public health response to these outbreaks. The survey highlighted that a large number of varicella outbreaks continue to occur; most health jurisdictions reported that they were notified about at least one varicella outbreak in 2003 and 2004. Many health jurisdictions respond to varicella outbreaks that they are notified about and have a definition for varicella outbreaks, although their response and definition varies by jurisdiction. Almost half of health jurisdictions have varicella outbreak management guidelines. CDC will continue to work with state and local health jurisdictions to develop and publish a standard varicella outbreak definition and national outbreak management guidelines and will continue to provide assistance to health departments on managing outbreaks as these guidelines are being developed. The recent recommendation by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for a routine 2-dose varicella vaccination should help to improve varicella disease control, including prevention of varicella outbreaks, alleviating the challenges and costs for health departments to respond to these outbreaks.

4. West Nile Virus Activity – United States, January 1-September 20, 2006

No Summary Available

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This page last reviewed November 9, 2006

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