NCHS: A Blog of the National Center for Health Statistics
STATE VITALS: NEW MEXICO
The state of New Mexico scores higher than the nation overall in births to unmarried mothers, preterm births, teen births and low birthweights. However, among the 10 leading causes of death in the United States, New Mexico has mortality rates that are lower than the U.S. rates for the following causes: heart disease, cancer, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, influenza/pneumonia and kidney disease. Here Read More >
Posted on byQuickStats: Age–Adjusted Death Rates for Stroke by U.S. Census Region — United States, 1970–2013
The age-adjusted death rates for stroke in all U.S. Census regions in the United States generally decreased from 1970 to 2013, although the rates in all regions were relatively stable from 1992 to 1999. From 1970 to 2013, the rate decreased an average of 3.3% per year in the South, 3.2% in the Midwest, 3.3% in Read More >
Posted on byEmergency Department Visits for Drug Poisoning: United States, 2008–2011
Poisoning is the leading cause of injury-related mortality in the United States, with more than 40,000 deaths annually. Drugs account for 90% of poisoning deaths, and the number of deaths from drug poisoning has increased substantially in recent years. The emergency department (ED) plays an important role in the treatment of poisoning. A new NCHS report Read More >
Posted on by 1 CommentAlcohol Awareness Month
April is Alcohol Awareness Month. This month highlights the health risks associated with problem drinking and the importance of identification and intervention. According to NCHS data, there are over 18,000 alcoholic liver disease deaths and 29,000 alcohol-induced deaths (excluding accidents and homicides) in the U.S. Over 50 percent of the adults in the U.S. have said Read More >
Posted on byFrom Once a Year to On Demand, DVS Rewrites the Rules of Mortality Surveillance
Suppose, after years of being able to look back and see only where you had been, you were suddenly able to see exactly where you are, right now, in a clearer, more revealing light. That’s a fair description of the position the Division of Vital Statistics (DVS) finds itself in. Thanks to innovative approaches to data warehousing, Read More >
Posted on bySTAT OF THE DAY – April 2, 2015
More than 95% of office-based physicians in the U.S. were accepting new patients as of 2013. http://go.usa.gov/3Cpx4 Read More >
Posted on byAcceptance of New Patients With Public and Private Insurance by Office-based Physicians: United States, 2013
Physician acceptance of new Medicaid patients has shown to be lower than acceptance of new Medicare patients or new privately insured patients. Acceptance of new Medicaid patients also has shown to be lower in states with lower Medicaid payment rates to physicians. Using the 2013 National Electronic Health Records Survey, this NCHS report summarizes physician Read More >
Posted on byTrends in Emergency Department Visits for Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack: United States, 2001–2011
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. About 87% of all strokes are ischemic strokes. Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) cause similar symptoms, but the blockage of blood flow to the brain is temporary. However, about one-third of people who have a TIA will have a stroke within 1 year. Emergency Read More >
Posted on byHypertension-related Mortality in the United States, 2000–2013
Hypertension is a chronic condition that can lead to heart disease, stroke, and other diseases that can result in premature death. Reducing the number of persons in the population with hypertension is one of the objectives of Healthy People 2020. Using national multiple cause-of-death data files from the National Vital Statistics System, a new NCHS report presents Read More >
Posted on byHealth Insurance Coverage: Early Release of Estimates From the National Health Interview Survey, January–September 2014
NCHS has released selected estimates of health insurance coverage for the civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. population based on data from the 2014 National Health Interview Survey, along with comparable estimates from the 2009–2013 NHIS. Estimates for January–September 2014 are based on data for 85,224 persons. Key Findings from the Report: In the first 9 months of 2014, Read More >
Posted on bySTATE VITALS: NEW JERSEY
The state of New Jersey scores lower than the nation overall in births to unmarried mothers and teen births. However, among the 10 leading causes of death in the United States, the garden state has mortality rates that are higher than the U.S. rates for the following causes: cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, stroke, accidents, Alzheimer’s Disease, diabetes, influenza/pneumonia and suicide. Read More >
Posted on byEmergency Department Visits and Proximity to Patients’ Residences, 2009–2010
The number of emergency department (ED) visits rose 44% from 1991 through 2010, even as the number of hospital EDs declined 10% over the same period. As a result, EDs have increasingly experienced overcrowding and longer waiting times. Using data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, a new NCHS report provides how often patients go to Read More >
Posted on byDr. Anne Driscoll: Liberia Deployment “Unforgettable and Enlightening”
NCHS Senior Service Fellow Dr. Anne Driscoll deployed to Liberia from November 16 to December 12, 2014, as part of CDC’s Ebola response. She partnered with the Bomi County health team, World Health Organization, United Nations Children’s Fund, Global Communities, International Organization for Migration, Liberian Red Cross Society, and other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to improve Read More >
Posted on byNational Kidney Month
March is designated National Kidney Month to raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of kidney disease. In 2013, kidney diseases were the ninth leading cause of death in the United States with 47,112 deaths. There were about 3.9 million people in the U.S diagnosed with kidney disease making up 1.7% of non-institutionalized adults. More Read More >
Posted on bySTATE VITALS: NEW HAMPSHIRE
The state of New Hampshire scores lower than the nation overall in births to unmarried mothers, cesarean deliveries, preterm births and low birthweight. The state also has the lowest teen birth rate in the country. However, among the 10 leading causes of death in the United States, the granite state has mortality rates that are higher than the U.S. rates Read More >
Posted on byNational Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month. While you may know it is important to eat a healthy diet, it isn’t always easy to sort through all of the information available about nutrition and food choices. Through the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), NCHS has a program of studies designed to assess the health and Read More >
Posted on byDental Caries and Sealant Prevalence in Children and Adolescents in the United States, 2011–2012
Although dental caries has been declining in permanent teeth for many children since the 1960s, previous findings showed caries in primary teeth for preschool children increasing from 24% to 28% between 1988 and 2004. Disparities in caries continue to persist for some race and ethnic groups in the United States. Prevalence of dental sealants—applied to Read More >
Posted on byDrug-poisoning Deaths Involving Heroin: United States, 2000–2013
Drug poisoning (overdose) is the number one cause of injury-related death in the United States, with 43,982 deaths occurring in 2013. While much attention has been given to deaths involving opioid analgesics, in recent years there has been a steady increase in the number of drug-poisoning deaths involving heroin. A recent study using data from Read More >
Posted on byProblems Paying Medical Bills Among Persons Under Age 65
Previous work has shown that in the first half of 2011 through the first half of 2013, approximately one in five persons under age 65 was in a family with problems paying medical bills in the past 12 months. A new NCHS report provides updated estimates for the percentage of persons under age 65 who were Read More >
Posted on byPrescription Opioid Analgesic Use Among Adults: United States, 1999–2012
Prescription opioid analgesics are used to treat pain from surgery, injury, and health conditions such as cancer. Opioid dependence and opioid-related deaths are growing public health problems. Opioid analgesic sales (in kilograms per 10,000) quadrupled from 1999 to 2010, and from 1999 to 2012, opioid-related deaths (per 100,000) more than tripled. During 1999–2002, 4.2% of Read More >
Posted on byTrends in Long-acting Reversible Contraception Use Among U.S. Women Aged 15–44
Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), which include intrauterine devices (IUDs) and subdermal hormonal implants, are gaining popularity due to their high efficacy in preventing unintended pregnancies. IUD use was more common among U.S. women in the 1970s before concerns over safety led to a decline in use; however, since approval of a 5-year contraceptive implant in Read More >
Posted on byQuickStats: Percentage of Men Aged 25–74 Years Who Consume 15 or More Alcoholic Drinks Per Week
During 2011–2013, male veterans aged 25–74 years were more likely to consume an average of 15 or more alcoholic drinks per week in the last year (“heavy drinking”) compared with nonveterans (7% versus 5%). Among men aged 25–34 years, the proportion of veterans who were heavy drinkers was 9%, higher than the 6% observed in nonveterans. Read More >
Posted on byProgress With Electronic Health Record Adoption
The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009 provides incentive payments to eligible hospitals and providers that demonstrate the meaningful use of a certified electronic health record (EHR) system. A new report describes the adoption of EHRs in hospital emergency departments (EDs) and outpatient departments (OPDs) from 2006 through 2011 using Read More >
Posted on bySTATE VITALS: NEVADA
The state of Nevada scores higher than the nation overall in births to unmarried mothers, cesarean deliveries, preterm births and teen births. However, among the 10 leading causes of death in the United States, the silver state has mortality rates that are lower than the U.S. rates for the following causes: cancer, stroke, Alzheimer’s Disease and diabetes. Here is a list Read More >
Posted on byHospitalization for Total Hip Replacement Among Inpatients Aged 45 and Over: United States, 2000–2010
Total hip replacement, in which both the head of the femur and its socket are replaced, is done to restore movement to hips damaged by osteoarthritis, late-stage degenerative bone and cartilage disease, or other injuries and disease. The number of total hip replacements is expected to increase over the next few decades. A new NCHS Read More >
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