MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report
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July 1, 2016, marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of CDC. Since the agency's launch as the Communicable Disease Center on July 1, 1946, CDC's primary mission has been improving public health in the United States and around the world through prevention and preparedness. In the seven decades since CDC's founding, the agency has grown in size and mission and is recognized as the nation's premiere health promotion, disease prevention, and emergency preparedness agency, and a global leader in public health. CDC's mission has progressed beyond communicable disease control and now encompasses noninfectious diseases, injury prevention, and environmental and occupational health.
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MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. · Jul 2016
Blood Lead Levels Among Children Aged <6 Years - Flint, Michigan, 2013-2016.
During April 25, 2014-October 15, 2015, approximately 99,000 residents of Flint, Michigan, were affected by changes in drinking water quality after their water source was switched from the Detroit Water Authority (DWA), sourced from Lake Huron, to the Flint Water System (FWS), sourced from the Flint River.* Because corrosion control was not used at the FWS water treatment plant, the levels of lead in Flint tap water increased over time. Adverse health effects are associated with lead exposure (1). On January 2, 2015, a water advisory was issued because of detection of high levels of trihalomethanes, byproducts of disinfectants.(†)(,)(§) Studies conducted by local and national investigators detected an increase in the prevalence of blood lead levels (BLLs) ≥5 µg/dL (the CDC reference level) among children aged <5 years living in Flint (2) and an increase in water lead levels after the water source switch (3). ⋯ The adjusted probability of having BLLs ≥5 µg/dL was 46% higher during the period after the switch from DWA to FWS (and before the January 2, 2015, water advisory) than during the period before the water switch to FWS. Although unrelated to lead in the water, the water advisory likely reduced tap water consumption and increased consumption of bottled water. Characterizing exposure to lead contaminated drinking water among children aged <6 years living in Flint can help guide appropriate interventions.