MMWR

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

Suicide Trends Among Youths and Young Adults Aged 10–24 Years — United States, 1990–2004

PRESS CONTACT: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Media Relations
(770) 488-4902

• Suicide Trends Among Youths and Young Adults Aged 10-24 Years-United States, 1990-2004

Study results show the largest increase in youth and young adult suicide rates in 15 years. The most noted change occurred in hanging/suffocation suicides among 10-14 year old girls. From 1990 through 2003, the total suicide rate for 10 to 24 year olds declined by 28.5 percent (9.48 to 6.78 deaths per 100,000), however, between 2003 and 2004, the overall rate of suicide climbed among this age group by 8 percent (6.78 to 7.32 deaths per 100,000), the largest single-year rise in 15 years. It is important for parents, health care professionals, and educators to recognize the warning signs of suicide in youth such as talking about taking one’s life, feeling sad or hopeless about the future. Parents should also look for changes in eating or sleeping habits and even losing the desire to take part in favorite activities.

Between 1990 and 2003, the overall suicide rate for 10-24 year olds declined by 28 percent. Between 2003 and 2004, however, the rate climbed by 8 percent, the largest single-year climb in 15 years. The rate of hanging/suffocation suicides among 10-14 year old girls more than doubled between 2003 and 2004, increasing by 119 percent. In 2004, approximately 161,000 youth and young adults between the ages of 10 and 24 received medical care for self-inflicted injuries at Emergency Departments across the United States.

Multistate Outbreaks of Salmonella Infections Associated with Eating Raw Tomatoes in Restaurants — United States, 2005–2006

PRESS CONTACT: CDC Division of Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

Tomatoes, including tomatoes served at restaurants, are a possible source of salmonellosis. Four large multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections associated with eating raw tomatoes at restaurants occurred during 2005–2006 in the United States. These outbreaks were investigated by staff members at state and local health departments, national food safety agencies, and CDC. Each of the outbreaks resulted in 72 to 190 culture-confirmed cases of salmonellosis in 16 to 21 states. These investigations determined that the tomatoes had been supplied to restaurants either whole or precut from tomato fields in Florida, Ohio, and Virginia. The outbreaks described were widely dispersed, indicating that contamination occurred early in the distribution chain, such as at the farm or packinghouse, rather than in restaurants. These recurrent, large multistate outbreaks emphasize the need to prevent Salmonella contamination of tomatoes early in the production and packing process. Current knowledge of mechanisms for tomato contamination and methods of eradication of Salmonella in tomatoes is limited; the agricultural industry, food safety agencies, and public health agencies should make produce safety research a priority. Tomatoes served in restaurants pose a particular concern because restaurants often store and handle tomatoes in ways that allow for amplification of bacteria. Consumers should avoid purchasing bruised or damaged tomatoes. Cut, peeled, or cooked tomatoes should be refrigerated within 2 hours or discarded.

Asthma Self-Management Education Among Youths and Adults — United States, 2003

PRESS CONTACT: National Center for Environmental Health
Office of Communications
(404) 498-0070

As of 2003, a substantial proportion of youths and adults with current asthma in the United States lacked the education necessary for effective self-management and control of asthma symptoms. Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory disease, in the United States that causes considerable illness and death. The symptoms, of which, can be controlled with appropriate medication, medical care, and self-management by the patient.

In 2003, the National Health Interview Survey included questions designed to measure clinical best practices for asthma self-management The CDC analyzed these data to characterize asthma education among youths and adults with current asthma. This study found that the prevalence of asthma education varied by sex, age, and health insurance status. The findings also suggested that a substantial proportion of youths and adults with current asthma lack the education necessary for effective self-management and control of asthma symptoms.

Recent evidence indicates that asthma self-management education is effective in improving health outcomes of chronic asthma. In addition, national Healthy People 2010 objectives include increasing the proportion of patients who receive appropriate asthma education and improving the quality of patient self-management education. The education guidelines include written instructions for recognizing and responding to an asthma attack to controlling exposures to environmental factors that can trigger asthma such as tobacco smoke, cockroaches, cat and dog allergens and dustmites.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES