MMWR News Synopsis for June 15, 2017

Tobacco Use Among Middle and High School Students — United States, 2011–2016

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Comprehensive and sustained tobacco prevention and control strategies can help prevent and further reduce the use of all forms of tobacco products among U.S. youths. During 2015–2016, current use of e-cigarettes decreased among middle school students. Among high school students, decreases were observed in current use of any tobacco product, ≥2 tobacco products, any combustible product, e-cigarettes, and hookah. However, in 2016 an estimated 3.9 million U.S. middle and high school students currently used any tobacco product, with 1.8 million reporting current use of ≥2 tobacco products.

Electronic Cigarettes as an Introductory Tobacco Product Among Eighth and 11th Grade Tobacco Users — Oregon, 2015

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Among Oregon teens who have ever used a tobacco product, e-cigarettes are commonly the first-tried tobacco product. These findings underscore the importance of proven interventions to prevent all forms of tobacco use among teens, including e-cigarettes. Youth e-cigarette use is strongly associated with the use of other tobacco products, including combustible tobacco products such as cigarettes. Many combustible tobacco smokers in U.S. middle and high schools also use e-cigarettes; however, it’s uncertain which type of tobacco product they are likely to use first. This study of Oregon eighth and 11^th graders surveyed in 2015 found that among those who ever tried tobacco products, electronic-cigarettes (e-cigarettes) were the most common tobacco product they reported trying first. Among those who smoked cigarettes, e-cigarettes were the second most common tobacco product they reported trying first.

Serious Bacterial Infections Acquired During Treatment of Patients Given a Diagnosis of Chronic Lyme Disease — United States

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Incorrect diagnosis of Lyme disease and treatment with long-term antibiotics can have devastating effects, making it important for patients and health care providers to be aware of the risks of long-term and alternative treatments for so-called “chronic Lyme disease.” This report describes five cases involving patients who suffered serious adverse medical outcomes from prolonged treatment with antibiotics for what some refer to as chronic Lyme disease; most of them likely didn’t have Lyme disease. Incorrect diagnosis of Lyme disease and treatment with long-term antibiotics can have devastating effects. People who have an illness with symptoms compatible with Lyme disease need to be diagnosed correctly and treated properly as quickly as possible.

Trends in Breastfeeding Among Infants Enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children — New York, 2002–2015

Ben Rosen
Director of Public Information
New York State Department of Health
(518) 474-7354 x1
benjamin.rosen@health.ny.gov

Collective efforts at the national, state, and local levels to promote breastfeeding likely contribute to the observed improvement in key indicators for measuring breastfeeding practices and to the reduced racial/ethnic gap (especially in initiation) in breastfeeding. However, policies and strategies implemented so far seem to be less effective in achieving longer duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding. Identifying potential limitations in existing conceptual frameworks for breastfeeding promotion and barriers to successfully delivering interventions to all participants are top priorities for the NY WIC program. The New York (NY) Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System showed that substantial progress had been achieved in promoting breastfeeding among infants enrolled in the NY Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Among NY WIC infants enrolled in 2015, 83.4% began breastfeeding, exceeding the Healthy People 2020 objective of 81.9%. The racial/ethnic differences in breastfeeding initiation were reduced considerably. Furthermore, 39.5% of infants breastfed for 6 months and 22.8% for 12 months in 2015 as compared to 30.2% and 15.0% in 2002, respectively. However, exclusive breastfeeding prevalence remained low at 14.3% for 3 months and 8.0% for 6 months among 2015 NY WIC infants.

Notes from the Field:

• Evaluation of a Potential Cluster of Plasma Cell Dyscrasias Among Workers at a Natural Gas Company — Illinois, 2014

Quick Stats:

• Percentage of Children Aged 4–17 Years with Diagnosed Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), by Sex and Urbanization of County of Residence — National Health Interview Survey, 2013–2015 

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