CDC Office of Women's Health Links

The Centers for Disease Control/ATSDR Office of Women's Health publishes valuable and free e-newsletters containing links to many reports and websites which may be of interest. To subscribe, email owh@cdc.gov. Community Service Council is sharing this as a service to interested people in the Tulsa area.

On this page are selected 2007 health-related articles (with links) excerpted from this CDC e-newsletter, presented by these topical categories: women; children & adolescents; health, general; other

WOMEN'S HEALTH...2007

Surveillance of Preconception Health Indicators Among Women Delivering Live-Born Infants - Oklahoma, 2000-2003
Data collected in Oklahoma (the only state to develop a detailed survey question on preconception health) during 2000-2003 from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System were analyzed to 1) estimate the prevalence of women who did not report three selected preconception health indicators, (i.e., pre-pregnancy awareness of folic acid benefits, multivitamin consumption, and receipt of health-care counseling) and 2) identify those subpopulations of women who were more likely not to report these indicators. Results of this analysis indicated that 21.5% of Oklahoma women with a recent live birth were not aware of folic acid benefits before they became pregnant, 73.5% did not consume multivitamins at least four times per week during the month before pregnancy, and 84.8% did not receive preconception counseling from a health-care provider.

Text version - http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5625a3.htm
PDF version (p. 631) - http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5625.pdf

Drug Use and Sexual Behaviors Reported by Adults: United States, 1999-2002
This report presents prevalence estimates for self-reported adult drug use and sexual behaviors in the United States. Data are from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey collected from 1999 to 2002. Tables included in this report present estimates for use of cocaine, including crack or freebase, or other street drugs, and sexual behavior by selected sociodemographic characteristics among adults 20–59 years of age. Only 4 percent of adults ages 20 years and older have never had sex. Men were more likely to have ever tried cocaine or street drugs (26%) than women (17%). Men were more likely to have used cocaine or street drugs in the past year (7%) than women (4%). Twenty-nine percent of men reported having 15 or more female sexual partners in a lifetime compared with 9% of women who reported having 15 or more male sexual partners in a lifetime.

Summary – http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/07newsreleases/druguse.htm
Report - http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ad/ad384.pdf

New Study Finds Few Risks of Birth Defects from Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy
Use of certain antidepressants, selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors most commonly known as SSRIs, during pregnancy does not significantly increase the risk for most birth defects, according to a new CDC study, released in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study, “Use of Selective Serotonin-Reuptake Inhibitors in Pregnancy and the Risk of Birth Defects,” found no significant increase in the risks for the majority of birth defects assessed when all SSRIs were studied together. This finding includes the risk for congenital heart defects, which were associated with SSRI use in previous studies. Researchers, did, however, find associations between SSRI use and three specific birth defects: a defect of the brain, one type of abnormal skull development and a gastrointestinal abnormality. CDC plans to continue to study the association to clarify whether a true risk exists. Press Release - http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2007/r070627.htm

Computer-Administered Screening of Reproductive-Aged Women for Diabetes Risk in Primary Care Settings, Feasibility and Acceptability of Such Screening, and Validity of Risk Assessments Based on Self-reported Weight
The purpose of this study was to determine whether technology can streamline risk assessment and leave more time to educate patients. They also tested the validity of self-reported weight in assessing diabetes risk. Health care professionals can provide personalized diabetes education and counseling on the basis of information collected by self-administered computerized questionnaires. In general, patients provided a self-reported weight that did not substantially bias estimates of diabetes risk. http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2007/jul/06_0044.htm

Breast and Colorectal Cancer Screening and Sources of Cancer Information Among Older Women in the United States: Results From the 2003 Health Information National Trends Survey
Data was examined from the Health Information National Trends Survey for women aged 65 years and older who had no personal history of breast or colorectal cancer. Women whose self-reported race and ethnicity was non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, or Hispanic were included in the analysis. The overall response rate for the 2003 survey was 34.5%. Women aged 75 years and older had lower rates of recent mammography (mammogram in previous 2 years) than did women aged 65 to 74 years. Rates of recent colorectal cancer screening (fecal occult blood test in previous year or endoscopy in previous 5 years) were markedly lower for non-Hispanic black women aged 75 years and older than for other women in this age group, and for Hispanic women aged 65 to 74 years than for non-Hispanic women in this age group. http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2007/jul/06_0104.htm

Arthritis Burden and Impact are Greater Among U.S. Women than Men: Intervention Opportunities
Women of all ages bear a disproportionate burden of arthritis and its impacts compared with men. Safe, effective interventions to prevent or delay arthritis impact, such as self-management education programs, physical activity, and weight management remain underused—meaning that people are missing opportunities to minimize arthritis impact. http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/

Medications: Information for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
As additional research is published, it is increasingly important that women talk with their doctor about the risks and benefits of taking prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements before getting pregnant, during pregnancy, and while breastfeeding. A survey in the U.S. in 1998–99 found that 46% of women in their childbearing years took a prescription medicine during the previous week. So, it is important that we know more about which medications may be harmful during pregnancy and breastfeeding and which are not. http://www.cdc.gov/Features/MedicationUse/

QuickStats: Prevalence of HPV* Infection^† Among Sexually Active Females Aged 14-59 Years, by Age Group - National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, United States, 2003—2004
Among sexually active females (i.e., 57% of females aged 14-19 years and 97% of those aged 20-59 years), the prevalence of HPV infection was highest for those in the youngest age groups (i.e., approximately 40% in those aged 14-19 years and 50% in those aged 20-24 years). Prevalence declined substantially after age 24 years. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5633a5.htm

Breastfeeding Trends and Updated National Health Objectives for Exclusive Breastfeeding - United States, Birth Years 2000—2004
To monitor progress toward achieving HP2010 breastfeeding objectives, CDC analyzed data from the National Immunization Survey. This report describes the results of that analysis, which indicated that rates for breastfeeding initiation and duration increased among infants born during 2000-2004. Rates for exclusive breastfeeding through ages 3 months and 6 months among infants born in 2004 were 30.5% and 11.3%, respectively, below targets set by HP2010. Rates of exclusive breastfeeding were significantly lower among black infants (compared with white infants) and infants born to unmarried mothers (compared with married mothers). Additionally, older age, urban residence, higher education, and higher income of mothers all were positively associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Further research is needed to identify successful programs and policies to support exclusive breastfeeding, especially among subgroups with the lowest rates.

Text version - http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5630a2.htm
PDF version (p. 760) - http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5630.pdf
Press Release - http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2007/r070802.htm

Common Questions about HPV and Cervical Cancer: For Women Who Have HPV
This sheet answers 15 questions about HPV and cervical cancer, including how to prevent infection, testing, talking to a partner about HPV, and the HPV vaccine. http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/common-questions.htm

Spanish Version of CDC’s HPV Clinician Brochure with Counseling Messages
This page provides information on HPV and the vaccine, and counseling messages about being diagnosed with genital warts, getting a Pap and HPV test, having a positive HPV diagnosis, being parents of a preteen/adolescent and the HPV vaccine. http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/hpv-clinicians-brochure.htm

HEALTH - GENERAL...2007

Public Health Research Guide
Advancing the Nation’s Health: A Guide for Public Health Research Needs, 2006-2015 is a critical resource for research areas that should be addressed during the next decade by CDC and its partners in response to current and future needs and events. The Research Guide will serve as an essential resource for defining a more focused CDC health protection research agenda of research priorities aligned with the Health Protection Goals developed by CDC. The Research Guide was developed through the workgroups, under the advisement of the Research Agenda Steering Subworkgroup, Advisory Committee to the Director, CDC and through extensive input from CDC staff and a wide range of federal, state, tribal, academic, and non-profit partners, as well as the public-at-large. http://www.cdc.gov/od/science/PHResearch/cdcra/

A Comparison of Estimates of Health Insurance Coverage, by Type of Coverage from the National Survey of Family Growth (2002) and the National Health Interview Survey (April 2002–March 2003)
This report examines comparability of health insurance coverage estimates by type of coverage based on the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth Cycle 6 (NSFG) with those based on the April 2002–March 2003 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Although the two surveys are designed to collect information on different facets of health and life experiences, both collect information on health insurance status, albeit for different purposes. Overall, approximately 69% of persons aged 15–44 years in both NSFG and NHIS were covered by private health insurance in 2002–03, and an additional 8% were covered by Medicaid, SCHIP, or state-sponsored health plans. There were no statistically significant differences between the percentages of NSFG and NHIS respondents covered by private health insurance or Medicaid (includes SCHIP and state plans), either for the total population or by gender. There were significant differences between NSFG and NHIS in the percentages who had other insurance (Medicare, military health care, or other government health care) or no coverage (currently without health insurance, only Indian Health Service coverage, or only single-service plans). http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/hestats/comparisoninsur/comparisoninsur.htm

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health
America’s gay and lesbian population comprises a diverse community with disparate health concerns. Major health issues for gay men are HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse, depression, and suicide. Gay male adolescents are two to three times more likely than their peers to attempt suicide. Some evidence suggests lesbians have higher rates of smoking, overweight, alcohol abuse, and stress than heterosexual women. The issues surrounding personal, family, and social acceptance of sexual orientation can place a significant burden on mental health and personal safety. http://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/index.htm

Deaths: Final Data for 2004
This report presents final 2004 data on U.S. deaths; death rates; life expectancy; infant and maternal mortality; and trends by selected characteristics such as age, sex, Hispanic origin, race, marital status, educational attainment, injury at work, state of residence, and cause of death. In 2004, life expectancy for females was 80.4 years, a 0.4-year increase from 2003, and life expectancy for males was 75.2 years, a 0.5-year increase from the previous year. The increase in life expectancy for females could have been greater were it not for the offsetting effect of increases in mortality from accidents, suicide, and Alzheimer’s disease. The 15 leading causes of death in 2004 accounted for 82.7 percent of all deaths in the United States. In 2004, a total of 540 women were reported to have died of maternal causes, an increase of 45 deaths from the 2003 total. The maternal mortality rate for 2004 was 13.1 deaths per 100,000 live births. Black women have a substantially higher risk of maternal death than white women. The maternal mortality rate for black women was 34.7 deaths per 100,000 live births, roughly 3.7 times the rate of 9.3 for white women. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr55/nvsr55_19.pdf

Updated Fact Sheet: HIV/AIDS Among Hispanics/Latinos
The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a serious threat to the Hispanic/Latino community. In addition to being a population seriously affected by HIV, Hispanics/Latinos continue to face challenges in accessing health care, prevention services, and HIV treatment. In 2004, HIV/AIDS was the fourth leading cause of death among Hispanic/Latino men and women aged 35 to 44. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/hispanic.htm

QuickStats: Percentage of Adults Aged >18 Years Who Reported Ever Being Tested for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV),* by Sex and Race/Ethnicity - National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2006
Among both men and women, non-Hispanic blacks (51.6% of men and 53.5% of women) were more likely to report ever being tested for HIV than Hispanics (35.7% of men and 46.1% of women) and non-Hispanic whites (30.5% of men and 33.5% of women). Overall, women (37.8%) were more likely than men (33.7%) to report ever being tested for HIV. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5631a5.htm?s_cid=mm5631a5_e

CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS...2007

America’s Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2007
The Forum's annual report, America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, provides the Nation with a summary of national indicators of child well-being and monitors changes in these indicators over time. This report includes information on births to unmarried women, adolescent births, child maltreatment, sexual activity, and other areas relevant to girls and women’s health. The report is developed by the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics (Forum), which is a collection of 22 Federal government agencies involved in research and activities related to children and families. http://childstats.gov/index.asp

Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Within Youth-serving Organizations: Getting Started on Policies and Procedures
To help prevent child sexual abuse, CDC has published the report Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Within Youth-Serving Organizations: Getting Started on Policies and Procedures. This report describes six key components for preventing child sexual abuse in youth-serving organizations: 1) screening and selecting employees and volunteers; 2) establishing guidelines on interactions between persons; 3) monitoring behavior; 4) ensuring safe environments; 5) responding to inappropriate behavior, breaches in policy, and allegations and suspicions of child sexual abuse; and 6) training in child sexual-abuse prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/preventingchildabuse.htm

Suicide Trends Among Youths and Young Adults Aged 10--24 Years, United States, 1990--2004

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5635a2.htm?s_cid=mm5635a2_e

OTHER

Looking Back -- February 2004 Women's Health Update from the CDC/ATSDR (excerpts)

See below for what's new at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) regarding women's health-related information. This service is provided by the CDC/ATSDR Office of Women's Health. To subscribe, email owh@cdc.gov.

1. Prevalence of Cigarette Use Among 14 Racial/Ethnic Populations - United States, 1999-2001
To assess the prevalence of cigarette smoking among persons aged >12 years among 14* racial/ethnic populations in the United States, CDC analyzed self-reported data collected during 1999--2001 from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) (formerly the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse). This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicated that the prevalence of cigarette smoking among adults aged >18 years ranged from 40.4% for AI/ANs to 12.3% for the Chinese population, and the prevalence among youths aged 12-17 years ranged from 27.9% for AI/ANs to 5.2% for the Japanese population. Among non-Hispanic white youths, females had a greater prevalence of cigarette smoking (17.2%) than males (14.9%). Among non-Hispanic black youths, males had a greater prevalence of cigarette smoking (8.2%) than females (5.9%). Among adults, smoking prevalence was greater among men in all racial/ethnic populations except AI/ANs, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans, which had no statistically significant variance by sex.
Text version - http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5303a2.htm
PDF version - http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5303.pdf

2. State Medicaid Coverage for Tobacco-Dependence Treatments - United States, 19942002
This report summarizes the results of the survey, which indicate that as of December 31, 2002, 1) 36 Medicaid programs covered some tobacco-dependence counseling or medication for all Medicaid recipients, 2) four states offered coverage only for pregnant women, 3) two states offered coverage for all pharmacotherapy and counseling treatments recommended by the 2000 PHS guideline, and 4) seven states covered all recommended medications and at least one form of counseling.
Text version - http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5303a3.htm
PDF version (p. 54) - http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5303.pdf

3. Economic Costs Associated with Mental Retardation, Cerebral Palsy, Hearing Loss, and Vision Impairment
In 2003, RTI International (Research Triangle Park, North Carolina) and CDC analyzed data from multiple surveys and reports to estimate the direct and indirect economic costs associated with four DDs in the United States. On the basis of that analysis, estimated lifetime costs in 2003 dollars are expected to total $51.2 billion for persons born in 2000 with mental retardation, $11.5 billion for persons with cerebral palsy, $2.1 billion for persons with hearing loss, and $2.5 billion for persons with vision impairment. Certain public health measures (e.g., newborn screening for metabolic disorders) have proven effective in preventing cases of mental retardation and other DDs. In addition, low birthweight (LBW) is a known risk factor for mental retardation and other DDs, and maternal smoking and alcohol consumption are risk factors for both LBW and mental retardation. Smoking-cessation counseling targeted to pregnant women has proven effective in preventing LBW, and strategies to reduce alcohol use before pregnancy are being tested.
Text version – http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5303a4.htm
PDF version ( p. 57) - http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5303.pdf

5. State-Level Estimates of Annual Medical Expenditures Attributable to Obesity
U.S. obesity-attributable medical expenditures reached $75 billion in 2003 and taxpayers finance about half of these costs through Medicare and Medicaid. Total state-level expenditure estimates in 2003 dollars range from $87 million in Wyoming to $7.7 billion in California. An estimated 64 percent of U.S. adults are either overweight (33 percent) or obese (31 percent). Obesity has been shown to promote many chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, several types of cancer, and gallbladder disease.
Press Release - http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r040121.htm
Obesity Research journal - http://www.obesityresearch.org/cgi/content/full/12/1/18

6. SARS and Pregnancy: A Case Report
A laboratory-confirmed case of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is reported in a pregnant woman. Although the patient had respiratory failure, a healthy infant was subsequently delivered, and the mother is now well. There was no evidence of viral shedding at delivery. Antibodies to SARS virus were detected in cord blood and breast milk.
Text version - http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol10no2/03-0736.htm
PDF version - http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol10no2/pdfs/03-0736.pdf

7. Health Insurance Coverage: Estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, January-June 2003
Selected estimates of health insurance coverage for the civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. population is provided, based on data from the January–June 2003 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), along with comparable estimates from the 1997–2002 NHIS. Three types of measures of lack of health insurance coverage are provided: current, intermittent, and long term. From January through June 2003, 42.3 million persons of all ages (14.8%) were uninsured at the time of interview, 52.0 million (18.2%) were uninsured for at least part of the past year, and 27.7 million (9.7%) were uninsured for more than a year at the time of interview. Among adults in age groups 18–24 years, 25–34 years, and 35–44 years, men were more likely than women to lack health insurance coverage at the time of interview.
PDF (557 KB) - http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhis/earlyrelease/insur200401.pdf

8. Cervical Cancer Fact Sheet: Basic Facts on Screening and the Pap Test
This two page fact sheet answers the questions - what is cervical cancer, what is the pap test, who should have a pap test, who does not need to be tested, how to prepare for the pap test, when results will be obtained, and how to get a free or low-cost pap test. It also contains important facts about cervical cancer and the role of screening to prevent cervical cancer and save lives.
Text version - http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/cc_basic.htm
PDF version - http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/bccpdfs/cc_basic.pdf
More at http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/info-cc.htm

9. Medical Expenditures Attributable to Injuries – United States, 2000
This report summarizes the results of data CDC analyzed on injury prevalence and costs from the 2000 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and the National Health Accounts, which indicated that injury-attributable medical expenditures cost as much as $117 billion in 2000, approximately 10% of total U.S. medical expenditures. In 2000, a total of 16.3% of persons (44.7 million) in the United States reported requiring treatment for at least one injury. The percentage was higher for males (17.3%) than for females (15.4%). Among persons aged <45 years, a greater percentage of males reported treatment for an injury; among persons aged >45 years, a greater percentage of females reported treatment for an injury. In the United States, injuries (i.e., unintentional and intentional) are the leading cause of death among persons aged <35 years and the fourth leading cause of death among persons of all ages
Press Release - http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r040115.htm
Text version - http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5301a1.htm
PDF version - http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5301.pdf
Erratum - http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5303a9.htm

10. Declining Prevalence of No Known Major Risk Factors for Heart Disease and Stroke Among Adults – United, States, 1991-2001
To assess changes in prevalence of no known risk factors for heart disease and stroke during 1991-2001, CDC analyzed data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicate that prevalence of no known major risk factors is decreasing among men and women in nearly all states, racial/ethnic populations, age groups, and education levels. In addition, the prevalence of individual major risk factors is increasing. Men had a greater decline in prevalence of no known risk factors than women (6.6% versus 4.9%). During 1991-2001, the prevalence of reported high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity among U.S. adults increased, whereas the prevalence of smoking remained nearly the same. Of all U.S. deaths in 2001, heart disease accounted for 29.0% and stroke for 6.8%.
Text version - http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5301a2.htm
PDF version (p. 4) - http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5301.pdf

11. Healthy Women: State Trends in Health and Mortality
Published tables using mortality statistics have been updated to include an entry for the 1999-2001 three year average annual mortality rates by state, sex, race, Hispanic origin, and age. The following is a list of the tables which have been updated: All Causes Mortality by State, Race, Hispanic Origin, Sex and Age, 1997-2001; Asthma Mortality by State, Race, Hispanic Origin, Sex and Age, 1997-2001; Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease Mortality by State, Race, Hispanic Origin, Sex and Age, 1997-2001; Child and Adolescent Mortality by State, Race, Hispanic Origin, Sex, Age, and Cause, 1997-2001; and Mortality by State, Race, Hispanic Origin, Sex, Age, and Cause, 1997-2001. Some of the data on earlier years have also been updated with corrected information.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/healthywomen.htm

12. Winter 2004 Health Matters for Women Newsletter
This issue features an article on women with disabilities, and discusses cancer screening, physical activity and abuse. Other articles focus on WISEWOMAN, Preventing Chronic Disease – a new prevention E-Journal, violence publications, mammography screening, bone health journals, women’s health data, a daytime drama award, women and medicines, and more.
Text version - http://www.cdc.gov/od/spotlight/nwhw/newsltr.htm
PDF version - http://www.cdc.gov/od/spotlight/nwhw/newsltr/04wint.pdf

13. Child, Adolescent and Adult Immunization Schedules
Some adults incorrectly assume that the vaccines they received as children will protect them for the rest of their lives. Generally this is true, except that some adults were never vaccinated as children; newer vaccines were not available when some adults were children; immunity can begin to fade over time; as we age, we become more susceptible to serious disease caused by common infections. Also, view and download the 2004 Childhood Immunization Schedule. It lists the ages (birth to 18 years old) for when each vaccine or series of shots is to be given.
Adult schedule - http://www.cdc.gov/nip/recs/adult-schedule.htm
Child & Adolescent schedule - http://www.cdc.gov/nip/recs/child-schedule.htm

14. State-Specific Prevalence of Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults - United States, 2002
To assess the prevalence of current cigarette smoking among adults, attempts to quit, and receipt of physician advice to quit during the preceding year, CDC analyzed data from the 2002 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicated a threefold difference in smoking prevalence across the 50 states, the District of Columbia (DC), Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The median smoking prevalence in the 50 states and DC was higher for men than for women. Kentucky had the highest prevalence for both men and women, and Utah had the lowest prevalence for both men and women. Cigarette smoking in the United States causes serious illnesses among an estimated 8.6 million persons and approximately 440,000 deaths annually, resulting in $157 billion in health-related economic costs.
Text version – http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5253a1.htm
PDF version - http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5253.pdf

17. Incidence of Acute Hepatitis B - United States, 1990-2002
To characterize the epidemiology of acute hepatitis B in the United States, CDC analyzed national notifiable disease surveillance data for 1990-2002. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicated that, during 1990-2002, the incidence of reported acute hepatitis B declined 67%. To reduce HBV transmission further in the United States, hepatitis B vaccination programs are needed that target men who have sex with men, injection-drug users, and other adults at high risk. The incidence of acute hepatitis B among men has been consistently higher than among women. In 1990, the incidence among men and women was 9.8 and 6.3, respectively; in 2002, the incidence was 3.7 and 2.2, respectively. Overall, incidence among women has declined more than among men; the male-to-female acute hepatitis B rate ratio was 1.5 in 1990, compared with 1.7 in 2002.
Text version – http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5251a3.htm
PDF version (p. 1252) - http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5251.pdf

18. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease – Updated Fact Sheet
This fact sheet answers the following questions: what is PID; how common is PID; how do women get PID; what are the signs and symptoms of PID; what are the complications of PID; how is PID diagnosed; what is the treatment for PID; how can PID be prevented; and where can I get more information.
http://www.cdc.gov/std/PID/STDFact-PID.htm

19. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and Pregnancy – Updated Fact Sheet
This fact sheet answers the following questions: can pregnant women become infected with STDs; how common are STDs in pregnant women in the United States; how do STDs affect a pregnant woman and her baby; should pregnant women be tested for STDs; can STDs be treated during pregnancy; how can pregnant women protect themselves against infection; and where can I get more information.
http://www.cdc.gov/std/STDFact-STDs&Pregnancy.htm

20. Pregnancy, Breast-Feeding, and Travel: Factors Affecting the Decision to Travel
Pregnant women considering international travel should be advised to evaluate the potential problems associated with international travel as well as the quality of medical care available at the destination and during transit. Pregnant women should be advised to consult with their health-care providers before making any travel decisions. Collaboration between travel health experts and obstetricians is helpful in weighing benefits and risks based on destination and recommended preventative and treatment measures.
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/pregnant.htm

21. Guidelines for Vaccinating Pregnant Women - Updated
Benefits of vaccinating pregnant women usually outweigh potential risks when the likelihood of disease exposure is high, when infection would pose a risk to the mother or fetus, and when the vaccine is unlikely to cause harm.
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/preg_guide.htm

22. U.S. Physical Activity Statistics
These physical activity data are from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a national telephone survey conducted by CDC and state health departments. The BRFSS physical activity questions attempt to measure a person’s physical activity in leisure-time, household, and transportation. Data is provided by state, age, race/ethnicity, gender, education, metropolitan area, and other.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/stats/us_physical_activity/index.htm

Looking Back -- May 2003 Women's Health Update from the CDC/ATSDR