NCHS: A Blog of the National Center for Health Statistics
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 >
Posted on byDrug-poisoning Deaths Involving Opioid Analgesics: United States, 1999–2011
Poisoning is the leading cause of injury death in the United States. Drugs—both illicit and pharmaceutical—are the major cause of poisoning deaths, accounting for 90% of poisoning deaths in 2011. Misuse or abuse of prescription drugs, including opioid-analgesic pain relievers, is responsible for much of the recent increase in drug-poisoning deaths. A new report highlights trends Read More >
Posted on byNew 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 >
Posted on byQuickStats: Life Expectancy at Birth, by Sex and Race/Ethnicity — United States, 2011
In 2011, life expectancy at birth was 78.7 years for the total U.S. population, 76.3 years for males, and 81.1 years for females. Life expectancy was highest for Hispanics for both males and females. In each racial/ethnic group, females had higher life expectancies than males. Life expectancy ranged from 71.7 years for non-Hispanic black males Read More >
Posted on bySTATE 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 >
Posted on byUse 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 >
Posted on byNational and State Patterns of Teen Births in the United States, 1940–2013
Teen childbearing in the United States has been declining for more than half a century. Except for a brief but steep increase in teen birth rates from 1986 to 1991 and smaller upturns during 1969–1970, 1979–1980, and 2005–2007, birth rates for U.S. teenagers have fallen since 1957. The birth rate in 2013, 26.6 births per Read More >
Posted on byAsk the Expert: Dr. Kirsten Herrick
The NHANES National Youth Fitness Survey (NNYFS) was developed as a model of comprehensive, youth-targeted fitness and nutrition data collection. As a standalone survey conducted alongside the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), NNYFS collected data on exercise and nutrition habits of U.S. children aged 3 to 15, through interviews and fitness tests conducted in a Read More >
Posted on byRecent 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 >
Posted on bySTATE 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 >
Posted on byOffice-based Physician Visits by Patients with Diabetes Increase
Diabetes is a chronic condition which affects nearly 29 million Americans and is a major cause of other chronic conditions, including heart disease, eye disease, and stroke. Diabetes was the seventh leading U.S. cause of death in 2009 and 2010. Management of diabetes costs nearly $245 billion annually, and patients with diabetes have medical expenditures Read More >
Posted on byThe Birth Certificate (Finally) Goes National
According to Joyce Martin, M.P.H., lead of the birth team in the Reproductive Statistics Branch, Division of Vital Statistics, a transition that began more than a decade-and-a-half ago will soon be completed, and a new era in national birth certificate data will begin. By the time we ring in 2015, all of America’s 50 states and Read More >
Posted on byDeaths Attributed to Heat, Cold, and Other Weather Events in the United States, 2006-10
NCHS has just released a report, “Deaths Attributed to Heat, Cold, and Other Weather Events in the United States, 2006-10,” which provides an in-depth look at the approximately 10,000 weather related deaths that occurred in the U.S. over that five-year span. In particular, the report examined the following causes of death: exposure to excessive natural Read More >
Posted on byQuickStats: Rate of Nonfatal Fall Injuries Receiving Medical Attention by Age Group – United States, 2012
In 2012, the U.S. rate of nonfatal fall injuries receiving medical attention was 43 per 1,000 population. Rates increased with age for adults aged ≥18 years. Adults aged 18–44 years had the lowest rate of falls (22 per 1,000), and the rate for those aged 75 years or older were higher (121 per 1,000) than for Read More >
Posted on byReasons for Emergency Room Use Among U.S. Children: National Health Interview Survey, 2012
Emergency rooms (ERs) are intended to provide care for acute and life-threatening medical conditions for people of all ages, but use is highest among older adults and young children. In 2012, 18% of children aged 0–17 years visited the ER at least once in the past year. Rising health care costs make it important to Read More >
Posted on byPerception of Weight Status in U.S. Children and Adolescents Aged 8–15 Years, 2005–2012
Childhood obesity is a major public health problem associated with many adverse health outcomes in adulthood. During 2011–2012, nearly 17% of children and adolescents were obese. Weight status misperception occurs when the child’s perception of their weight status differs from their actual weight status based on measured height and weight. Accurate weight status self-perception has Read More >
Posted on byRural Residents Who Are Hospitalized in Rural and Urban Hospitals: United States, 2010
In 2010, 17% of the U.S. population lived in rural (nonmetropolitan) areas. Many rural areas are medically underserved due to physician (especially specialist) shortages. Rural hospitals often are small, with a low volume of services, and have difficulty remaining financially viable under the regular hospital prospective payment system. Special Medicare hospital payment categories have been Read More >
Posted on byFruit and Vegetable Consumption of U.S. Youth, 2009–2010
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), 2010 encourage Americans, including youth, to increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables. Individuals are encouraged to “eat a variety of vegetables, especially dark-green and red and orange vegetables.” Fruits and vegetables are sources of many under-consumed nutrients and consuming fruits and vegetables is associated with a decreased risk Read More >
Posted on bySexual Orientation and Health Among U.S. Adults: NHIS, 2013
NCHS has provided a new report on national estimates for indicators of health-related behaviors, health status, health care service utilization, and health care access by sexual orientation using data from the 2013 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). NHIS is an annual multipurpose health survey conducted continuously throughout the year. Analyses were based on data collected in Read More >
Posted on byQuickStats: Drug-Poisoning Death Rates by State
In 2011, age-adjusted rates for deaths from drug poisoning varied by state, ranging from 7.1 to 36.3 per 100,000 population. In 17 states, the age-adjusted drug-poisoning death rate was significantly higher than the overall U.S. rate of 13.2 deaths per 100,000 population. The five states with the highest poisoning death rates were West Virginia (36.3), Read More >
Posted on byTV Watching and Computer Use in U.S. Youth Aged 12–15, 2012
Excessive screen-time behaviors, such as using a computer and watching TV, for more than 2 hours daily have been linked with elevated blood pressure, elevated serum cholesterol, and being overweight or obese among youth. Additionally, screen-time behavior established in adolescence has been shown to track into adulthood. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-supported Expert Read More >
Posted on byWireless Substitution: Estimates From the National Health Interview Survey, July–December 2013
Preliminary results from the July – December 2013 National Health Interview Survey indicate that the number of American homes with only wireless telephones continues to grow. Two in every five American homes (41%) had only wireless telephones (also known as cellular telephones, cell phones, or mobile phones) during the second half of 2013 — an Read More >
Posted on byQuickStats: Percentage of Adults with Activity Limitations, by Age Group and Type of Limitation — United States, 2012
In 2012, the percentages of adults with limitations in activities of daily living and limitations in instrumental activities of daily living increased with age. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6325a9.htm?s_cid=mm6325a9_w Read More >
Posted on bySTATE VITALS: LOUISIANA
Louisiana leads the United States in births by cesarean delivery and ranks second in births to unmarried mothers, preterm births and low birthweight. The Bayou State also leads the nation in kidney disease. However, Louisiana has a lower proportion of its population without health insurance than the national average. Read More >
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