NCHS: A Blog of the National Center for Health Statistics
Hospitalization 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 >
Posted on byNew Mobile App Provides Up-to-Date U.S. Health Statistics on the Go
The National Center for Health Statistics announces the launch of FastStats, a mobile version of NCHS’s FastStats website that provides on-the-go access to current statistics on topics of public health importance. FastStats for iOS puts access to topic-specific NCHS content at the fingertips of health care providers and clinicians. Topics include diseases and conditions, injuries, life stages and populations, Read More >
Posted on byNew Reports on Complementary Health Approaches in the United States
Two new reports from NCHS, Trends in the Use of Complementary Health Approaches Among Adults: United States, 2002–2012 and Use of Complementary Health Approaches Among Children Aged 4–17 Years in the United States: National Health Interview Survey, 2007–2012, present national estimates of the use of complementary health approaches. The complementary health approaches among adults report looked at three Read More >
Posted on byDiabetes is the Seventh Leading Cause of Death in the U.S.
Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and it’s important to raise awareness of this ever-growing disease. Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy. The pancreas, an Read More >
Posted on byHealth Care Utilization Among U.S. Adults With Diagnosed Diabetes, 2013
Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that affects 1 in 10 adults in the United States. Diabetes can affect multiple organs and lead to serious health complications. Ongoing medical care is recommended for persons of any age who have diabetes in order to manage levels of glucose, obtain preventive care services, and treat diabetes-related complications. Read More >
Posted on byEmergency Department Visits for Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries: United States, 2010–2011
In spite of improvements in motor vehicle safety in recent years, motor vehicle crashes remain a major source of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Motor vehicle-related deaths and injuries also result in substantial economic and societal costs related to medical care and lost productivity. A new NCHS report describes the rates and characteristics Read More >
Posted on byCervical 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 >
Posted on byStrategies Used by Adults to Reduce Their Prescription Drug Costs: United States, 2013
Approximately one-fifth (18%) of the $263 billion spent on retail prescription drugs in the United States in 2012 was paid out of pocket. Some adults offset the cost of prescription drugs by reducing the dosage and frequency of the recommended pharmacotherapy. Other cost-saving strategies include asking providers for less-expensive medications or purchasing medications abroad. A Read More >
Posted on byPrevalence 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 >
Posted on bySTATE 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 >
Posted on byQuickStats: 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 >
Posted on byBirths: Final Data for 2013
A new NCHS report presents 2013 data on U.S. births according to a wide variety of characteristics. Data are presented for maternal age, live-birth order, race and Hispanic origin, marital status, attendant at birth, method of delivery, period of gestation, birthweight, and plurality. Birth and fertility rates are presented by age, live-birth order, race and Hispanic origin, Read More >
Posted on byCancer Deaths in the U.S.
The death of ESPN sportscaster Stuart Scott has generated interest in cancer deaths in the U.S. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. The number of cancer deaths are available from the multiple cause of death option on the CDC WONDER database using the C00-C97 ICD Code, “Malignant Neoplasms.” Here are our latest national Read More >
Posted on byHospitalizations for Patients Aged 85 and Over in the United States, 2000–2010
From 2000 through 2010, the number of adults aged 85 and over in the United States rose 31%, from 4.2 million to 5.5 million, and in 2010, this age group represented almost 14% of the population aged 65 and over. It is estimated that by 2050, more than 21% of adults over age 65 will Read More >
Posted on bySTATE 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 >
Posted on byCigarette 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 >
Posted on byMortality in the United States, 2013
NCHS released a report last week that presents 2013 U.S. final mortality data on deaths and death rates by demographic and medical characteristics. These data provide information on mortality patterns among U.S. residents by such variables as sex, race and ethnicity, and cause of death. Information on mortality patterns is key to understanding changes in the Read More >
Posted on byPrescription Cholesterol-lowering Medication Use in Adults Aged 40 and Over: United States, 2003–2012
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Nearly one in three Americans dies of heart disease or stroke. Elevated blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for CVD, and statin therapy has been strongly associated with a reduced risk of atherosclerotic CVD. The national cholesterol treatment guidelines Read More >
Posted on byDr. Joseph Woodring Returns from Battling Ebola in Liberia
NCHS Senior Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Woodring (LCDR, USPHS) deployed to Liberia from October 15 to November 14, 2014, as part of CDC’s Ebola Response. Serving on two county health teams (Nimba and Sinoe), he worked alongside health care workers from Liberia’s Ministry of Health, World Health Organization, United Nations Children’s Fund, Africare, Global Communities, Read More >
Posted on bySTATE 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 >
Posted on byNut Consumption Among U.S. Adults, 2009–2010
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourage the consumption of nutrient-dense foods such as nuts and seeds. Nut consumption has been associated with improved nutrient intake and diet quality and improved health outcomes, including those related to cardiovascular disease. An NCHS report examines the percentage of U.S. adults who consumed nuts on a given day, using Read More >
Posted on byHealth Insurance Coverage: Early Release of Estimates From the National Health Interview Survey, January–June 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 (NHIS), along with comparable estimates from the 2009–2013 NHIS. Estimates for January–June 2014 are based on data for 56,784 persons. Three estimates of lack of health insurance coverage are provided: (a) uninsured Read More >
Posted on byCurrent Contraceptive Status Among Women Aged 15–44: United States, 2011–2013
Nearly all women use contraception at some point in their lifetimes, although at any given time they may not be using contraception for reasons such as seeking pregnancy, being pregnant, or not being sexually active. Using data from the 2011–2013 National Survey of Family Growth on contraceptive use in the month of the interview, a new Read More >
Posted on byBirths 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 >
Posted on byDiscussions Between Health Care Providers and Their Patients Who Smoke Cigarettes
Smoking is the primary cause of preventable death in the United States. Studies show that a majority of smokers would like to quit and that even simple advice from physicians has a positive effect on cessation rates. Federal and nonprofit agencies have recommended screening and identification of smokers by clinicians and health care delivery systems, Read More >
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