MMWR News Synopsis for May 5, 2016

 

Falls among Persons Aged ≥ 65 Years With and Without Severe Vision Impairment — United States, 2014

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

These results highlight an opportunity for states to review or develop fall prevention interventions for older adults with severe vision impairment and identify and implement effective strategies intended to reduce falls and improve vision health. A new CDC study compares state-specific one-year estimates of falls among people aged ≥ 65 years with and without severe vision impairment. In 11 states and the District of Columbia, more than half of older adults (ages 65 and up) with vision impairment reported falling in the past year, and in 30 more states 40-49 percent reported falling. The report finds that about 1.3 million older persons with severe vision impairment reported falls in the past year. Although states reported a wide variation in rates of falls—from 30.8 percent in Hawaii to 59.1 percent in California, the percentage of people with severe vision impairment who fell was consistently higher than among people without impairment. These findings can inform state-specific fall prevention efforts for people with severe vision impairment. 

Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network Support for Elimination Goals, 2010–2015

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Effective integrated epidemiologic and laboratory surveillance for measles and rubella cases is essential for rapid response to outbreaks and to track progress towards elimination of these diseases. Expansion of the capacity of the Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network will support measles and rubella elimination efforts as well as surveillance for other vaccine-preventable diseases. With 703 laboratories supporting surveillance in 191 countries, the WHO Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network (GMRLN) provides the laboratory capacity needed to test and confirm suspected measles and rubella cases reported globally. In addition, the network conducts genetic characterization of circulating measles and rubella viruses to track global transmission patterns and document interruption of transmission. During 2010–2015, 742,187 serum specimens from suspected measles and rubella case patients were tested in GMRLN laboratories, and 27,832 viral sequences were reported globally. GMRLN laboratories also provide a platform to conduct surveillance for other vaccine-preventable diseases, including rotavirus diarrhea, yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis, and support detection and response activities during public health emergencies such as those caused by the Ebola, chikungunya, dengue, and Zika viruses.

Notes from the Field:

• Assessment of Health Facilities for Control of Canine Rabies — Gondar City, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, 2015

QuickStats:

• Percentage of Adults Who Met Federal Guidelines for Aerobic Physical Activity, by Poverty Status — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2014

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES