MMWR News Synopsis for October 13, 2016

 

Breast Cancer Incidence and Mortality Among Black and White Women — United States, 1999–2013

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Breast cancer death rates are decreasing among all women, but racial differences remain that need to be addressed and prioritized. Access to quality care and the best available treatments for all women diagnosed with breast cancer can help to address the disparities. Newly released data show that while overall breast cancer death rates are decreasing, there are racial differences – particularly among women over age 50. There was a faster decrease in breast cancer death rates for white women (-1.9 percent per year) than for black women (-1.5 percent per year) between 2010 and 2014. However, among women under age 50, -death rates decreased at the same rate. We are hopeful that this indicates that white and black women under 50 are beginning to benefit equally from appropriate and timely breast cancer treatments and will continue to assess if these differences can also improve for women over 50.

HIV Testing and Outcomes Among Hispanics/Latinos — United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, 2014

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
News Media Line – 404-639-8895
NCHHSTPMediaTeam@cdc.gov

Despite representing 16 percent of the population, Latinos account for almost 25 percent of all newly diagnosed HIV infections in the United States. According to a new CDC analysis, Latinos accounted for nearly 23 percent of people reached by CDC-funded HIV testing efforts. Additionally, approximately 60 percent of Latinos were linked to HIV medical care within 90 days of diagnosis, which is below the 85 percent goal of the updated National HIV/AIDS Strategy. Regional disparities persist as the percentage of Latinos referred and linked to HIV medical care, interviewed for partner services, and referred to HIV prevention services were lower in the South compared to other geographic regions. Among Latinos tested, gay and bisexual men had the highest percentage of HIV diagnosed (2 percent). If current HIV diagnosis trends persist, the estimated lifetime risk of diagnosis is 1 in 48 among Latino men and 1 in 227 among Latina women. In 2014, the rate of HIV diagnosis among Latinos was approximately three times that of non-Hispanic whites (18.4 vs. 6.1 per 100,000 population). The data illustrate the need for improved prevention strategies that address the cultural factors and diversity of Latinos in order to reduce the impact of HIV among the population.

Unmet Needs for Ancillary Services Among Hispanics/Latinos Receiving HIV Medical Care — United States, 2013-2014

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
News Media Line – 404-639-8895
NCHHSTPMediaTeam@cdc.gov

In the United States from 2013-2014 there were substantial unmet needs for ancillary services among Latinos receiving outpatient HIV medical care. The most common unmet needs were for services that support retention in HIV medical care and assist with day-to-day living, including dental and vision care, food and nutrition services, transportation, and shelter or housing. Ancillary services – such as non-HIV medical care, subsistence services, and HIV support services – can improve the health of people living with HIV and help them achieve viral suppression. An analysis of Medical Monitoring Project data found an estimated 24 percent of Latinos receiving outpatient HIV medical care reported unmet needs for dental care and 21 percent reported unmet needs for eye or vision care. Additionally, 15 percent of Latinos reported unmet needs for food or nutrition services; 9 percent had an unmet need for transportation assistance; and 8 percent reported unmet needs for shelter or housing services. The analysis also identified the highest prevalence of unmet needs of Latinos by age group, with some unmet needs, such as shelter and housing services and HIV peer group support, being higher for those age 18-39 than those age 50 or older. Many of the reasons Latinos have unmet needs for ancillary services reflect not knowing how to get the services, perceived ineligibility for obtaining services, and denial of services. HIV case managers can play an important role in connecting Latinos living with HIV to needed services and resources.

Increase in Ambulance Transports of Patients with Synthetic Cannabinoid–Associated Adverse Events to Hospital Emergency Departments — Anchorage, Alaska, 2015 — 2016

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Educational outreach campaigns focused on the considerable health risks of synthetic cannabinoid use should complement judicial and law enforcement actions to reduce use, particularly among high-risk groups such as homeless populations. Between July 15, 2015 and March 15, 2016, an outbreak of adverse reactions associated with use of synthetic cannabinoid (“spice”) use occurred in Anchorage, Alaska. The outbreak involved at least 1,351 ambulance transports to Anchorage hospital emergency departments of persons who became ill following spice use. Among people treated for spice use during this period, 40 percent were classified as being homeless and 37 percent were transported by ambulance more than once for spice-related illness. The investigation documented 11 different chemicals used in making spice in both liquid and herbal forms circulating in Anchorage during the outbreak. Representatives from multiple agencies and organizations, including local police and fire departments and hospital staff, collaborated to investigate the outbreak and take action to reduce health impact. The number of ambulance transports in Anchorage of people experiencing illness following spice use decreased significantly in the months following passage of a municipal ordinance in November 2015 that increased the criminal penalties for the possession, sale, and use of spice.

Progress Toward Global Eradication of Dracunculiasis, January 2015 — June 2016

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

With only 22 dracunculiasis cases in humans reported in 2015 (the lowest annual total ever) and only four disease-endemic countries remaining, the goal of eradicating Guinea worm disease is closer than ever. However, significant challenges remain that require attention, adaptation, and application. In 1986, the World Health Assembly called for the elimination of dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease), a parasitic infection caused by Dracunculus medinensis. Subsequently, annual cases have declined from an estimated 3.5 million in 20 countries in 1986 to 22 in four countries (Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, South Sudan) in 2015. During January — June 2016, 10 cases were reported worldwide — a 25 percent increase in cases compared to the same period in 2015. The greatest challenges to interrupting transmission are Dracunculus infections in domestic dogs in Chad that now outnumber human cases several fold and program disruptions caused by civil unrest and insecurity in Mali and South Sudan. These complexities require national governments to provide their full attention and political support to eradication efforts.

Notes from the Field:

• Mycobacterium chimaeraContamination of Heater-Cooler Devices Used in Cardiac Surgery — United States

QuickStats:

• Percentages of Women with Gestational Weight Gain Within Recommendations During Full-term Pregnancies, by Prepregancy Body Mass Index — 48 States and the District of Columbia, 2014 — 2015

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES