Category: Uncategorized

Cervical Health Awareness Month

This month is Cervical Health Awareness Month.  Cervical cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer death among U.S. women.  From 1999-2013, there were 60,378 deaths from cervical cancer with 4,217 deaths in 2013.  The age-adjusted death rate per 100,000 for U.S. women dropped from 2.8 in 1999 to 2.3 in 2013. The cervical death Read More >

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Prevalence of Reduced Muscle Strength in Older U.S. Adults: United States, 2011–2012

Muscle weakness is linked to impaired mobility and mortality in older persons. The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) Sarcopenia Project recently developed sex-specific criteria to diagnose different degrees of muscle strength (i.e., weak, intermediate, and normal) in older adults based on maximum hand grip strength. These thresholds are related to the level Read More >

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STATE VITALS: NEBRASKA

The state of Nebraska scores lower than the nation overall in percent in births to unmarried mothers, cesarean deliveries, preterm births, teen births and low birthweight.  The cornhusker state also has a lower mortality rate in firearm, homicide and drug poisoning deaths. Here is a list of the 15 leading causes of death in Nebraska in 2012 with ICD Read More >

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QuickStats: Rates of Deaths from Drug Poisoning and Drug Poisoning Involving Opioid Analgesics — United States, 1999–2013

In 2013, a total of 43,982 deaths in the United States were attributed to drug poisoning, including 16,235 deaths (37%) involving opioid analgesics. From 1999 to 2013, the drug poisoning death rate more than doubled from 6.1 to 13.8 per 100,000 population, and the rate for drug poisoning deaths involving opioid analgesics nearly quadrupled from Read More >

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STATE VITALS: MONTANA

The state of Montana scores lower than the nation overall in percent in births to unmarried mothers, cesarean deliveries, preterm births, teen births and low birthweight.  The treasure state also has a lower mortality rate in homicide and drug poisoning deaths. However, among the 10 leading causes of death in the United States, Montana has mortality rates that are Read More >

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Cigarette Smoking and Lung Obstruction Among Adults Aged 40–79: United States, 2007–2012

Lung obstruction is characterized by blocked airflow, shortness of breath, and difficulty exhaling. The most common obstructive lung diseases are asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Approximately 15% of U.S. adults aged 40–79 have lung obstruction, with about one-third of those having moderate or worse obstruction. Smoking tobacco Read More >

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STATE VITALS: MISSOURI

The state of Missouri scores lower than the nation overall in percent in births to unmarried mothers, cesarean delivery rate and preterm birth rate. However, among the 10 leading causes of death in the United States, Missouri has mortality rates that are higher than the U.S. rates for the following causes: heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory Read More >

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Births Resulting From Assisted Reproductive Technology: Comparing Birth Certificate and National ART Surveillance System Data, 2011

A new NCHS report compares data on births resulting from assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures from 2011 birth certificates with data from the 2011 National ART Surveillance System (NASS) among the subset of jurisdictions that adopted the 2003 revised birth certificate as of January 1, 2011, with information on ART. Birth certificate data are based on Read More >

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Births in the United States, 2013

A new NCHS report presents 2013 final birth data on several key demographic and maternal and infant health indicators. Trends in the number of births, general fertility rates, age-specific birth rates, and cesarean delivery rates by race and Hispanic origin, as well as trends in preterm births by state and trends in twin births are explored, Read More >

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NCHS selects Nat Schenker as its new Deputy Director

Dr. Nat Schenker

Dr. Nathaniel Schenker, associate director of the Office of Research and Methodology (ORM) for the National Center for Health Statistics, has been appointed NCHS Deputy Director. Center Director Charles Rothwell praised the appointment, noting that Dr. Schenker “has been instrumental in developing more collaborative statistical relationships within NCHS and with other federal statistical agencies. Nat Read More >

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STATE VITALS: MISSISSIPPI

The state of Mississippi scores lower than the nation overall in drug poisoning deaths. However,  Mississippi ranks higher than the entire U.S. in mortality for all ten leading causes of death, which include:  heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, stroke, accidents, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, kidney disease, influenza/pneumonia and suicide. Read More >

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QuickStats: Age-Adjusted Death Rates from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Among Persons Aged 55 Years or Older, by Sex and Urbanization of County of Residence— United States, 2009–2011

During 2009–2011, higher death rates for COPD among persons aged 55 years or older were associated with more rural localities, with rates increasing steadily from the least to the most rural county. For males, the age-adjusted COPD death rate in rural counties was 59% higher than in large central metropolitan counties (284.3 versus 178.9 deaths per Read More >

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QuickStats: Percentage of Adults Aged 18–59 Years Who Have Ever Been Tested for HIV by Number of Lifetime Sex Partners and by Sex — 2007–2010

During 2007–2010, 48% of U.S. women and 41.1% of U.S. men aged 18–59 years reported having ever been tested (outside of blood donations) for HIV infection. For both men and women, an increase in the number of lifetime sexual partners increased the likelihood that they were tested for HIV. Among persons with zero lifetime sex Read More >

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STATE VITALS: MINNESOTA

The state of Minnesota scores lower than the nation overall in percent of births to unmarried mothers, cesarean delivery rate, preterm birth rate, teen birth rate and low birthweight rate. The North Star state also has a lower mortality rate in homicide, firearm and drug poisoning deaths. Minnesota has mortality rates that are lower than the U.S. Read More >

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STATE VITALS: MICHIGAN

The state of Michigan scores lower than the nation overall in cesarean delivery rate and teen birth rate. The Great Lake state also has a smaller proportion of its population without health insurance than the national average. However, among the 10 leading causes of death in the United States, Michigan has mortality rates that are higher than the Read More >

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Depression and Obesity in the U.S. Adult Household Population, 2005–2010

In 2005–2010, 34.6% of U.S. adults aged 20 and over were obese and 7.2% had depression, based on depressive symptoms experienced in the past 2 weeks. Both obesity and depression are associated with many health risks, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and functional limitations. Studies have shown higher rates of obesity in persons with depression. This Read More >

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STATE VITALS: MASSACHUSETTS

The state of Massachusetts scores lower than the nation overall in percent of births to unmarried mothers, cesarean delivery rate, preterm birth rate, teen birth rate and birthweight rate. The state also has a lower mortality rate in homicide, firearm and drug poisoning deaths. However, among the 10 leading causes of death in the United States, Massachusetts has mortality Read More >

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QuickStats: Age-Adjusted Death Rates for Heart Disease and Cancer by Sex — United States, 1980–2011

During 1980–2011, age-adjusted death rates for heart disease in males and females decreased steadily. The rate decreased 59.5% for males and 56.8% for females. In contrast, the rate from cancer first increased 3.4% for males and 5.3% for females during 1980–1990 and then decreased 27.2% for males and 18.0% for females by 2011. For females, the rates Read More >

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QuickStats: Percentage of Adults Who Used Selected Complementary Health Approaches in the Preceding 12 Months, by Metropolitan Status of Residence — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2012

During 2012, the percentages of U.S. adults aged 18 years or older who used nonvitamin, nonmineral dietary supplements, yoga, massage, meditation, and special diets were higher in metropolitan areas than in nonmetropolitan areas. A greater proportion of adults in nonmetropolitan areas used chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation (9.9%) compared with those in metropolitan areas (7.9%). In both Read More >

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Early Release of Selected Estimates Based on Data From the January–March 2014 National Health Interview Survey

NCHS has released updates estimates for 15 selected health measures based on data from the January–March 2014 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and presents estimates from 1997 through 2013 for comparison. The 15 measure included in the report are lack of health insurance coverage and type of coverage, having a usual place to go for Read More >

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New Reports on Adult Day Services Centers

NCHS has released two new reports on adult day services centers.  The reports, Differences in Adult Day Services Center Participant Characteristics by Center Ownership: United States, 2012 and Differences in Adult Day Services Center Characteristics by Center Ownership: United States, 2012, looked at selected characteristics of adult day services center participants in 2012 and compared Read More >

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STATE VITALS: MARYLAND

The state of Maryland scores lower than the nation overall in teen birth rate. The state also has a lower mortality rate in firearm and drug poisoning deaths. However, among the 10 leading causes of death in the United States, Maryland has mortality rates that are higher than the U.S. rates for the following causes: Read More >

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Use of Selected Nonmedication Mental Health Services by Adolescent Boys and Girls With Serious Emotional or Behavioral Difficulties: United States, 2010–2012

Mental health is a key component of a child’s overall wellbeing. Previous research using data from the National Health Interview Survey found that about 6% of adolescents have serious emotional or behavioral difficulties. Both medication and nonmedication services have been found to be effective for treatment. Two recent reports from the National Center for Health Read More >

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Recent Declines in Nonmarital Childbearing in the United States

There were sharp increases in nonmarital childbearing from 2002 to 2007, following the steady increases beginning in the 1980s. The upward trends have mainly reversed since 2007–2008. In addition, the nature of nonmarital childbearing may be changing as cohabiting unions have increased over the last few decades in the United States along with pregnancies within Read More >

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STATE VITALS: MAINE

Maine‘s teen birth rate is also lower than the overall U.S. rate (19.4% vs. 29.4%).  Maine also has a significant larger proportion of its population without health insurance than the national average. However, Maine has mortality rates that are lower than the total U.S. for the following causes: cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Read More >

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