MMWR

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

1. Workers Memorial Day — April 28, 2010

CDC Division of News and Electronic Media
(404) 639-3286

The Workers Memorial Day issue of the MMWR is CDCs annual tolling on behalf of workers, our report of the burden of America’s workplace mortality and morbidity. Americans are recognized as the most industrious, hard working people in the world. This work ethic comes at a cost. Every year, thousands of U.S. workers are killed, die from chronic diseases, are permanently disabled, or suffer from nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses. The first Workers Memorial Day was observed in 1989. April 28 was chosen for this observance because this date marks the anniversary of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the day of a similar remembrance in Canada. The health and safety of every worker counts, and every health care provider has an interest in informing public health and labor authorities of cases of known or suspected work-related illness, injury and death.

 

2. Occupational Injuries and Deaths Among Younger Workers ― United States, 1998–2007

CDC Division of News and Electronic Media
(404) 639-3286

Younger workers aged 15-24 years are often employed in jobs that place them at high risk for injury. Employers should take steps to protect younger workers through identifying and mitigating common safety hazards. This analysis shows that 800,000 younger workers were injured and over 500 younger workers were killed each year in work-related incidents during a recent ten year period (1998-2007). There was a moderate decline in the rate of work injury among younger workers during this period. Employers have the primary responsibility for protecting younger workers, through identifying and mitigating hazards, and ensuring that workers have the requisite training and personal protective equipment to perform their jobs safely. Steps that employers can take to improve safety should be more widely disseminated and implemented.

3. Seroprevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 — United States, 2005–2008

CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention News Media Line
(404) 639-8895

CDC published results of an analysis estimating HSV-2 prevalence in the United States which were previously announced in March at the 2010 National STD Prevention Conference. CDC estimates that 16.2 percent of people in the U.S. between the ages of 14 and 49 are infected with genital herpes. Prevalence among women is almost twice that of men. Additionally, prevalence is three times higher among blacks than whites, and lowest among Mexican Americans. Data showing prevalence among various race/ethnicities by the number of lifetime sex partners indicate severe disparities among African-Americans. Even among those with just one lifetime sex partner, blacks are more than four times as likely to be infected with genital herpes than are whites. These data reinforce findings from previous research indicating racial disparities are likely perpetuated because of the higher prevalence of infection within African-American communities. This places African-Americans at greater risk of being exposed to genital herpes with any given sexual encounter. Clinicians, health departments, health-care organizations and community groups should promote measures that prevent HSV-2 transmission, including minimizing the number of sex partners and consistent and correct condom use. .

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES