MMWR News Synopsis for July 16, 2015

 

Use of Low-Dose Aspirin for Prevention of Recurrent Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Among U.S. Adults — 20 States and District of Columbia

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Aspirin use for the prevention of recurrent coronary heart disease or stroke is widely promoted across the United States, and is included in national cardiovascular disease prevention programs such as the Million Hearts initiative and Healthy People 2020. To estimate the prevalence of aspirin use for cardiovascular prevention among those with coronary heart disease and stroke, CDC analyzed 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data from 20 states and the District of Columbia. Overall, 70.8% of adult with existing coronary heart disease or stroke reported using aspirin regularly (every day or every other day). Within this group, 93.6% reported using aspirin for heart attack prevention, 79.6% for stroke prevention and 76.2% for both heart attack and stroke prevention. Differences in use were found by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and cardiovascular risk status, and by state. Most of the state differences were not statistically significant; however, these estimates can be used to promote the use of aspirin as a low-cost and highly effective intervention.

Investigation of Childhood Lead Poisoning from Parental Take-Home Exposure from an Electronic Scrap Recycling Facility — Ohio, 2012

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Hazardous substances, including lead, can easily be transferred from the workplace to the employee’s vehicle or home, potentially harming family members. Take-home contamination occurs when dust from hazardous substances, including lead, is transferred from the workplace to employees’ car and home. Elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in childhood are associated with impairment in cognition, hyperactivity, attention problems, and conduct problems. In 2010, the Cincinnati Health Department and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit investigated two cases of childhood lead poisoning in a single family. In 2012, CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health learned about the lead poisonings during an evaluation of the electronic scrap recycling facility where the father worked. Pediatricians should ask about parents’ occupations and hobbies that might involve lead when evaluating elevated BLLs in children, in routine lead screening questionnaires, and in evaluating children with signs or symptoms of lead exposure.

Receipt of Selected Clinical Preventive Services by Adults — United States, 2011–2012

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Preventive care can save lives but many Americans don’t receive some recommended preventive health services. By expanding access to insurance and requiring many plans to cover recommended clinical preventive services, the Affordable Care Act can reduce barriers to receipt of recommended preventive care. Preventive care saves lives and improves health. But many Americans are not receiving some recommended preventive health services. Insurance coverage can increase access to care: people with health insurance are up to three times as likely to get needed preventive care compared to those without insurance. However, even many of those with insurance didn’t receive recommended preventive services. By expanding access to insurance and requiring many plans to cover recommended clinical preventive services, the Affordable Care Act can reduce barriers to receipt of recommended preventive care.

Pertussis and Influenza Vaccination Among Insured Pregnant Women — Wisconsin, 2013–2014

Jennifer Miller
608-266-1683
JenniferC.Miller@dhs.wisconsin.gov

Health care providers should strongly recommend and offer tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) and influenza vaccination to every pregnant patient to prevent severe illness and complications among mothers and infants. Pertussis (whooping cough) incidence is increasing in the U.S., including among infants who are at highest risk for hospitalization and death. To prevent pertussis among newborn infants, in February 2013 the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended pregnant women receive Tdap during every pregnancy, a strategy that provides passive protection to the newborn infant. Additionally, pregnant women are recommended to receive influenza vaccine to prevent influenza-associated complications among mothers and infants. Using health insurance claims data, this report evaluated vaccination rates among insured pregnant women in Wisconsin. After the 2013 recommendation, Tdap vaccination rates among pregnant women in Wisconsin increased but plateaued near 50%, similar to influenza vaccination rates. Collaboration is needed to identify and overcome barriers to vaccinating pregnant women.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES