MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report
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MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. · Jan 2004
Declining prevalence of no known major risk factors for heart disease and stroke among adults--United States, 1991-2001.
Despite declines in recent years, heart disease and stroke remain the first and third leading causes of death in the United States, respectively. Of all U. S. deaths in 2001, heart disease accounted for 29.0% and stroke for 6.8%. ⋯ These findings underscore the potential for an increased burden of heart disease and stroke on the health-care system. To prevent the debilitating outcomes of heart disease and stroke among the aging U. S. population, increased prevention efforts and treatment interventions are needed.
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MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. · Dec 2003
Update: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease associated with cadaveric dura mater grafts--Japan, 1979-2003.
In 1997, a nongovernment surveillance group for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in Japan supported financially by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW) reported 43 cases of CJD associated with receipt of cadaveric dura mater grafts. In all but one case, the most probable vehicle of transmission was a single brand of dural graft (LYODURA [B. ⋯ This report summarizes the investigation of the 97 cases, which indicated that during 1983-1987, the estimated minimum risk for CJD within 17 years of receipt of the implicated product in Japan was approximately one case per 1,250 grafts. No cases have been reported among patients who received their first dural graft after 1991; however, because of the long latency period between graft placement and symptom onset, additional cases of graft-associated CJD are likely to be reported.
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MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. · Nov 2003
Progress toward poliomyelitis eradication--Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan, January 2002-August 2003.
Since the World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) resolved in 1988 to eradicate poliomyelitis worldwide, the estimated number of polio cases has declined >99%, and the number of countries from which reports of polio were received has declined from 125 to seven. Ethiopia and Sudan have not reported wild poliovirus (WPV) cases in >1 year, and Somalia is approaching 1 year without evidence of WPV transmission. This report summarizes progress made in these countries during January 2002-August 2003 and describes remaining challenges to polio eradication. To maintain this progress, continued funding and improved access to children, particularly in the greater Mogadishu area in Somalia, are required.
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MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. · Oct 2003
Measles epidemic attributed to inadequate vaccination coverage--Campania, Italy, 2002.
In Italy, measles has been a mandatory reportable disease for >100 years. During the prevaccination era, approximately 25,000-90,000 cases were reported annually. During the late 1980s and 1990s, incidence declined with increasing measles vaccination coverage, but measles epidemics continued to occur periodically, most recently during 1995-1997. ⋯ Regional health authorities and the National Institute of Health investigated the measles outbreak in Campania. This report summarizes the preliminary results of the investigation, which attributed the epidemic to inadequate vaccination coverage. A coordinated effort is needed to interrupt measles transmission in Italy.
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MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. · Oct 2003
Infant health among Puerto Ricans--Puerto Rico and U.S. mainland, 1989-2000.
Although the overall U. S. infant mortality rate (IMR) declined dramatically during the 1900s, striking racial/ethnic disparities in infant mortality remain. Infant health disparities associated with maternal place of birth also exist within some racial/ethnic populations. ⋯ The findings indicate that despite having lower prevalence of selected maternal risk factors, Puerto Rico-born infants are at greater risk for LBW, PTD, and infant death than mainland-born Puerto Rican infants. This report also highlights a persistent disparity in IMRs and an emerging disparity in LBW and PTD rates between Puerto Rico-born infants and mainland-born Puerto Rican infants. Future research should focus on identifying factors responsible for these disparities to improve infant health in Puerto Rico.