CDC Vital Signs RSS feed offers recent data on the important health topics of key diseases, conditions, or risk factors. Data is gathered from CDC's national monitoring systems to show progress in important areas of public health, and the ways people can increase their health, prevent or control disease. https://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/ https://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/images/CDCLogo.jpg https://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/ 100 75 en-US imtech@cdc.gov Health Public Health This feed is no longer being maintained. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8648819 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8648819 Thu, 19 Apr 2018 14:53:00 EDT African Americans are living longer. The death rate for African Americans has declined about 25% over 17 years, primarily for those aged 65 years and older. Even with these improvements, new analysis shows that younger African Americans are living with or dying of many conditions typically found in white Americans at older ages. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8639904 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8639904 Tue, 02 May 2017 13:00:00 EDT Zika virus infection (Zika) during pregnancy can cause damage to the brain, microcephaly, and congenital Zika syndrome, a pattern of conditions in the baby that includes brain abnormalities, eye defects, hearing loss, and limb defects. Pregnant women can protect their babies from these Zika-related health conditions by not traveling to areas with Zika. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8645378 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8645378 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 13:00:00 EDT Everyone knows someone with arthritis. It is a leading cause of disability, and causes pain, aching, stiffness, and swelling of the joints, but is not a normal part of aging. The most common types are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, and fibromyalgia. Arthritis costs at least $81 billion in direct medical costs annually. Many adults with arthritis are prescribed opioid medicines, yet other options for pain are safer. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8645192 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8645192 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 13:00:00 EDT Hearing loss is the third most common chronic health condition in the US. Almost twice as many people report hearing loss as report diabetes or cancer. Noise exposure away from your job can damage your hearing just as much as working in a noisy place. Being around too much loud noise—like using a leaf blower or going to loud concerts—can cause permanent hearing loss. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8644872 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8644872 Tue, 07 Feb 2017 13:00:00 EDT Native Americans (American Indians and Alaska Natives) have a greater chance of having diabetes than any other US racial group. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, a costly condition that requires dialysis or kidney transplant for survival http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8644698 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8644698 Fri, 20 Jan 2017 14:30:00 EDT Sharing needles, syringes, and other injection equipment puts people who inject drugs (PWID) at high risk for getting HIV and other infections, including hepatitis. Annual HIV diagnoses among black and Hispanic/Latino PWID were cut in half between 2008–2014, but diagnoses among white PWID dropped by only 28% http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8644426 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8644426 Tue, 29 Nov 2016 14:30:00 EDT Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer and cancer deaths. It can cause not only lung cancer — but also cancers of the mouth and throat, voice box, esophagus, stomach, kidney, pancreas, liver, bladder, cervix, colon and rectum, and a type of leukemia. Each year, 660,000 people in the US are diagnosed with and 343,000 people die from a cancer related to tobacco use. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8644136 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8644136 Thu, 10 Nov 2016 13:00:00 EDT Dental sealants are thin coatings that when painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars) can prevent cavities for many years. School-age children (ages 6-11) without sealants have almost 3 times more 1st molar cavities than those with sealants. Although the overall number of children with sealants has increased over time, low-income children are 20% less likely to have them and 2 times more likely to have untreated cavities than higher-income children. Untreated cavities can cause pain, infection, and problems eating, speaking, and learning. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8643940 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8643940 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 14:00:00 EDT High blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and death. About 70% of US adults age 65 or older have high blood pressure and only about half have it under control (less than 140/90 mmHg). Blood pressure medicine (along with a healthy diet and exercise) can protect the heart, brain, and kidneys, but only if patients take it and keep their blood pressure controlled. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8643516 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8643516 Tue, 13 Sep 2016 13:00:00 EDT Sepsis is a complication caused by the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection. It can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. Sepsis is difficult to diagnose. It happens quickly and can be confused with other conditions early on. Sepsis is a medical emergency. Time matters. When sepsis is quickly recognized and treated, lives are saved. Healthcare providers are the critical link to preventing, recognizing, and treating sepsis. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8643205 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8643205 Tue, 23 Aug 2016 13:00:00 EDT Reducing motor vehicle crash deaths was one of the great public health achievements of the 20th century for the US. However, more than 32,000 people are killed and 2 million are injured each year from motor vehicle crashes. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8642715 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8642715 Wed, 06 Jul 2016 13:00:00 EDT Use water management programs in buildings to help prevent outbreaks http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8642295 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8642295 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 11:30:00 EDT Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a biological disorder that causes hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and attention problems. Parents do not cause ADHD, but parents can play a key role in treatment. Behavior therapy is an effective treatment that improves ADHD symptoms without the side effects of medicine. It is an important first step for young children with ADHD and most effective when delivered by parents. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8641299 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8641299 Tue, 03 May 2016 13:00:00 EDT Zika virus disease (Zika) spreads to people mainly through the bite by two species of infected mosquitoes, one of which is more likely to transmit Zika. In past outbreaks, most people have not gotten sick, so people may not even know they are infected. Based on current knowledge, the greatest risk for complications from Zika is to a pregnant woman’s fetus. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8640661 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8640661 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 13:00:00 EDT More than 3 million US women are at risk of exposing their developing baby to alcohol. 3 in 4 women who want to get pregnant as soon as possible report drinking alcohol. 100% Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are completely preventable. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8640306 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8640306 Tue, 02 Feb 2016 13:00:00 EDT About 2.4 million middle and high school students were current (past 30-day) users of electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, in 2014. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which causes addiction, may harm brain development, and could lead to continued tobacco product use among youth http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8639905 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8639905 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 13:00:00 EDT Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medicine taken daily that can be used to prevent getting HIV. PrEP is for people without HIV who are at very high risk for getting it from sex or injection drug use. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8639010 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8639010 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 13:00:00 EDT Hospital practices in the first hours and days after birth make the difference in whether and how long babies are breastfed. The WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is the global standard for hospital care to support breastfeeding, with the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding at its core. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8638685 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8638685 Tue, 06 Oct 2015 13:00:00 EDT Is Your Heart Older Than You? One way to understand your risk for a heart attack or stroke is to learn your "heart age." Heart age is the age of your heart and blood vessels as a result of your risk factors for heart attack and stroke. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8638308 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8638308 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 13:00:00 EDT Antibiotic-resistant germs cause more than 2 million illnesses and at least 23,000 deaths. Up to 70% fewer patients will get CRE over 5 years if facilities coordinate to protect patients. Preventing infections and improving antibiotic prescribing could save 37,000 lives from drug-resistant infections over 5 years. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8638035 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8638035 Tue, 04 Aug 2015 15:30:00 EDT Heroin use more than doubled among young adults ages 18–25 in the past decade. More than 9 in 10 people who used heroin also used at least one other drug. 45% of people who used heroin were also addicted to prescription opioid painkillers. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8637752 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8637752 Tue, 07 Jul 2015 13:00:00 EDT Preventing Melanoma Communities play a vital role Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US. In 2011, there were more than 65,000 cases of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. Melanoma can spread to other parts of the body and causes over 9,000 deaths every year. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8632809 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8632809 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 13:00:00 EDT Hispanics or Latinos are the largest racial/ethnic minority population in the US. Heart disease and cancer in Hispanics are the two leading causes of death, accounting for about 2 of 5 deaths, which is about the same for whites. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8636957 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8636957 Tue, 05 May 2015 13:00:00 EDT Teen childbearing can carry health, economic, and social costs for mothers and their children. Teen births in the US have declined, but still more than 273,000 infants were born to teens ages 15 to 19 in 2013. The good news is that more teens are waiting to have sex, and for sexually active teens, nearly 90% used birth control the last time they had sex. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8636167 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8636167 Tue, 07 Apr 2015 13:00:00 EDT Trucker safety requires an alert, buckled-up, experienced driver, with a reliable vehicle and strong employer safety programs. About 2.6 million workers drive trucks that weigh over 10,000 pounds (large trucks). About 65% of on-the-job deaths of US truck drivers in 2012 were the result of a motor vehicle crash. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8635857 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8635857 Tue, 03 Mar 2015 13:00:00 EDT No level of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure is safe. SHS exposure occurs when nonsmokers breathe in smoke exhaled by smokers or from burning tobacco products. It kills more than 400 infants and 41,000 adult nonsmokers* every year. Exposure to SHS among US nonsmokers has declined, but progress has not been the same for everyone. SHS exposure is more common among children ages 3 to 11 years, blacks, people living below the poverty level, and those who rent housing. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8633931 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8633931 Tue, 03 Feb 2015 13:00:00 EDT On average, 6 people died every day from alcohol poisoning in the US from 2010 to 2012. Alcohol poisoning is caused by drinking large quantities of alcohol in a short period of time. Very high levels of alcohol in the body can shutdown critical areas of the brain that control breathing, heart rate, and body temperature, resulting in death. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8634292 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8634292 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 13:00:00 EDT About 2.4 million middle and high school students were current (past 30-day) users of electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, in 2014. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which causes addiction, may harm brain development, and could lead to continued tobacco product use among youth. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8639884 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8639884 Mon, 05 Jan 2015 13:00:00 EDT Viral suppression is key for people living with HIV. Viral suppression means having very low levels of HIV in the body, even though the virus is still there. Achieving viral suppression by taking HIV medicines allows people living with HIV to have nearly normal lifespans and greatly reduces their chances of transmitting the virus. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8634807 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8634807 Tue, 25 Nov 2014 13:00:00 EDT More than 12,000 women get cervical cancer every year. Up to 93% of cervical cancers are preventable. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination helps prevent infection with the HPV types that cause most cervical cancers. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8634591 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8634591 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 13:00:00 EDT CDC Vital Signs links science, policy, and communications with the intent of communicating a call-to-action for the public. CDC Vital Signs provides the most recent, comprehensive data on key indicators of important health topics. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8634293 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8634293 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 13:00:00 EDT CDC Vital Signs links science, policy, and communications with the intent of communicating a call-to-action for the public. CDC Vital Signs provides the most recent, comprehensive data on key indicators of important health topics. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8633918 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8633918 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 13:00:00 EDT CDC Vital Signs links science, policy, and communications with the intent of communicating a call-to-action for the public. CDC Vital Signs provides the most recent, comprehensive data on key indicators of important health topics. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8633502 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8633502 Tue, 12 Aug 2014 13:00:00 EDT CDC Vital Signs links science, policy, and communications with the intent of communicating a call-to-action for the public. CDC Vital Signs provides the most recent, comprehensive data on key indicators of important health topics. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8632926 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8632926 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:00:00 EDT CDC Vital Signs links science, policy, and communications with the intent of communicating a call-to-action for the public. CDC Vital Signs provides the most recent, comprehensive data on key indicators of important health topics. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8632582 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8632582 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 13:00:00 EDT CDC Vital Signs links science, policy, and communications with the intent of communicating a call-to-action for the public. CDC Vital Signs provides the most recent, comprehensive data on key indicators of important health topics. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8632216 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8632216 Tue, 06 May 2014 13:00:00 EDT CDC Vital Signs links science, policy, and communications with the intent of communicating a call-to-action for the public. CDC Vital Signs provides the most recent, comprehensive data on key indicators of important health topics. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8631946 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8631946 Tue, 08 Apr 2014 13:00:00 EDT CDC Vital Signs links science, policy, and communications with the intent of communicating a call-to-action for the public. CDC Vital Signs provides the most recent, comprehensive data on key indicators of important health topics. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8631560 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8631560 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 13:00:00 EDT CDC Vital Signs links science, policy, and communications with the intent of communicating a call-to-action for the public. CDC Vital Signs provides the most recent, comprehensive data on key indicators of important health topics. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8631235 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8631235 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 13:00:00 EDT Child Passenger Safety Alcohol Screening and Counseling. Alcohol screening and brief counseling, Alcohol screening and counseling, Alcohol screening and brief intervention, ASBI, Electronic screening and brief intervention, eSBI, Excessive drinking, Risky drinking, Binge drinking. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8630917 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8630917 Tue, 07 Jan 2014 13:00:00 EDT Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cancer killer of men and women in the US, following lung cancer. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends three CRC screening tests that are effective at saving lives: colonoscopy, stool tests (guaiac fecal occult blood test-FOBT or fecal immunochemical test-FIT), and sigmoidoscopy (now seldom done). http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8629762 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8629762 Tue, 05 Nov 2013 13:00:00 EDT Nearly 1 in 3 deaths in the US each year is caused by heart disease and stroke. At least 200,000 of these deaths could have been prevented through: changes in health habits, such as stopping smoking, more physical activity, and less salt in the diet; community changes to create healthier living spaces, such as safe places to exercise and smoke-free areas; and managing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8629741 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8629741 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 13:00:00 EDT Obese children are more likely to become obese adults and suffer lifelong physical and mental health problems. Obesity rates in low-income preschoolers, after decades of rising, began to level off from 2003 through 2008 and now are showing small declines in many states. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8629442 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8629442 Tue, 06 Aug 2013 12:00:00 EDT About 18 women die every day of a prescription painkiller overdose in the US, more than 6,600 deaths in 2010. Prescription painkiller overdoses are an under-recognized and growing problem for women. Although men are still more likely to die of prescription painkiller overdoses (more than 10,000 deaths in 2010), the gap between men and women is closing. Deaths from prescription painkiller overdose among women have risen more sharply than among men; since 1999 the percentage increase in deaths was more than 400% among women compared to 265% in men. This rise relates closely to increased prescribing of these drugs during the past decade. Health care providers can help improve the way painkillers are prescribed while making sure women have access to safe, effective pain treatment. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8629099 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8629099 Tue, 02 Jul 2013 12:00:00 EDT Many germs can be spread through food. Some, like Listeria, can be deadly. Listeria strikes hard at pregnant women and their newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Listeria can cause miscarriage and meningitis. Most people found to have Listeria infection require hospital care and about 1 in 5 people with the infection die. Outbreak investigations tell us what foods make people sick and what needs to change to make food safer and save lives. We have made some progress against Listeria, which is the third leading cause of death from food poisoning. However, we can do more to protect people at higher risk for food poisoning and make food safer for everyone. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8628756 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8628756 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 12:00:00 EDT Hepatitis C is a serious virus infection that over time can cause liver damage and even liver cancer. Early treatment can prevent this damage. Too many people with hepatitis C do not know they are infected, so they don't get the medical care they need. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8628404 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8628404 Tue, 07 May 2013 13:30:00 EDT Although teen birth rates have been falling for the last two decades, more than 365,000 teens, ages 15–19, gave birth in 2010. Teen pregnancy and childbearing can carry high health, emotional, social, and financial costs for both teen mothers and their children. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8627942 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8627942 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EDT Untreatable and hard-to-treat infections from CRE germs are on the rise among patients in medical facilities. CRE germs have become resistant to all or nearly all the antibiotics we have today. Types of CRE include KPC and NDM. By following CDC guidelines, we can halt CRE infections before they become widespread in hospitals and other medical facilities and potentially spread to otherwise healthy people outside of medical facilities. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8627476 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8627476 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:30:00 EDT Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the US. Despite overall declines in smoking, more people with mental illness smoke than people without mental illness. Because many people with mental illness smoke, many of them will get sick and die early from smoking. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8627177 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8627177 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:00:00 EDT Drinking too much – including binge drinking* – is a dangerous behavior resulting in about 23,000 deaths in women and girls each year. Binge drinking increases the chances of breast cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, heart disease, unintended pregnancy, and many other health problems. Drinking during pregnancy is very dangerous, and can lead to sudden infant death syndrome and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8626813 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8626813 Tue, 08 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EDT About 50,000 people are infected with HIV each year, and 1 in 4 is 13 to 24 years old. Youth make up 7% of the more than 1 million people in the US living with HIV. About 12,000 youth were infected with HIV in 2010. The greatest number of infections occurred among gay and bisexual youth. Nearly half of all new infections among youth occur in African American males. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8626457 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8626457 Tue, 27 Nov 2012 12:00:00 EDT Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States (2005-2009). Breast cancer deaths are going down the fastest among white women compared to women of other races and ethnicities. Black women have the highest death rates of all racial and ethnic groups and are 40% more likely to die of breast cancer than white women. Why? The reasons for this difference result from many factors including having more aggressive cancers and fewer social and economic resources. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8626314 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8626314 Wed, 14 Nov 2012 12:00:00 EDT The percentage of teens in high school who drink and drive has decreased by more than half since 1991,* but more can be done. Nearly one million high school teens drank alcohol and got behind the wheel in 2011. Teen drivers are 3 times more likely than more experienced drivers to be in a fatal crash. Drinking any alcohol greatly increases this risk for teens. Research has shown that factors that help to keep teens safe include parental involvement, minimum legal drinking age and zero tolerance laws, and graduated driver licensing systems. These proven steps can protect the lives of more young drivers and everyone who shares the road with them. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8625555 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8625555 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 11:00:00 EDT High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, both of which are leading causes of death in the US. Nearly one-third of all American adults have high blood pressure and more than half of them don’t have it under control.* Many with uncontrolled high blood pressure don’t know they have it. Millions are taking blood pressure medicines, but their blood pressure is still not under control. There are many missed opportunities for people with high blood pressure to gain control. Doctors, nurses and others in health care systems should identify and treat high blood pressure at every visit. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8625229 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8625229 Tue, 04 Sep 2012 11:19:00 EDT More than 145 million adults now include walking as part of a physically active lifestyle. More than 6 in 10 people walk for transportation or for fun, relaxation, or exercise, or for activities such as walking the dog. The percentage of people who report walking at least once for 10 minutes or more in the previous week rose from 56% (2005) to 62% (2010). http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8624792 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8624792 Tue, 07 Aug 2012 11:19:00 EDT Prescription painkiller overdoses* were responsible for more than 15,500 deaths in 2009. While all prescription painkillers have contributed to an increase in overdose deaths over the last decade, methadone has played a central role in the epidemic. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8624439 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8624439 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 11:19:00 EDT Child injuries are preventable, yet more than 9,000 children died from injuries in the US in 2009. Car crashes, suffocation, drowning, poisoning, fires, and falls are some of the most common ways children are hurt or killed. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8623629 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8623629 Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:19:00 EDT People getting medical care can catch serious infections called health care-associated infections (HAIs). While most types of HAIs are declining, one – caused by the germ C. difficile* – remains at historically high levels. C. difficile causes diarrhea linked to 14,000 American deaths each year. Those most at risk are people, especially older adults, who take antibiotics and also get medical care. When a person takes antibiotics, good germs that protect against infection are destroyed for several months. During this time, patients can get sick from C. difficile picked up from contaminated surfaces or spread from a health care provider's hands. About 25% of C. difficile infections first show symptoms in hospital patients; 75% first show in nursing home patients or in people recently cared for in doctors' offices and clinics. C. difficile infections cost at least $1 billion in extra health care costs annually. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8623004 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8623004 Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:19:00 EDT About 90% of Americans eat more sodium than is recommended for a healthy diet. Too much sodium increases a person's risk for high blood pressure. High blood pressure often leads to heart disease and stroke. More than 800,000 people die each year from heart disease, stroke and other vascular diseases, costing the nation $273 billion health care dollars in 2010. Most of the sodium we eat comes from processed foods and foods prepared in restaurants. Sodium is already part of processed foods and you can't remove it. However, manufacturers and restaurants can produce foods with less sodium. In addition, you can select lower sodium foods when possible and you can cook more foods yourself, to better control how much sodium you eat. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8622710 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8622710 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:19:00 EDT New estimates show that binge drinking* is a bigger problem than previously thought. More than 38 million US adults binge drink, about 4 times a month, and the largest number of drinks per binge is on average 8. This behavior greatly increases the chances of getting hurt or hurting others due to car crashes, violence, and suicide. Drinking too much, including binge drinking, causes 80,000 deaths in the US each year and, in 2006 cost the economy $223.5 billion. Binge drinking is a problem in all states, even in states with fewer binge drinkers, because they are binging more often and in larger amounts. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8622394 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8622394 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:19:00 EDT Too many people don't know they have HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). About 1.2 million people are living with HIV in the US but about 240,000 don't know they are infected. Each year, about 50,000 people get infected with HIV in the US. Getting an HIV test is the first step to finding out if you have HIV and getting medical care. Without medical care, HIV leads to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and early death. There's new hope today for stopping HIV in the US. Medicines (antiretroviral therapy or ART) can lower the level of virus in the body. ART helps people with HIV live longer, healthier lives and also lowers the chances of passing HIV on to others. However, only 28% are getting the care they need to manage the disease and keep the virus under control. To help stop HIV, get tested. If you have HIV, get medical care and work with your health care provider to contr http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621992 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621992 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:19:00 EDT Deaths from prescription painkillers* have reached epidemic levels in the past decade. The number of overdose deaths is now greater than those of deaths from heroin and cocaine combined. A big part of the problem is nonmedical use of prescription painkillers—using drugs without a prescription, or using drugs just for the "high" they cause. In 2010, about 12 million Americans (age 12 or older) reported nonmedical use of prescription painkillers in the past year. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621673 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621673 Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:08:00 EDT US adults drank too much and got behind the wheel about 112 million times in 2010. Though episodes of driving after drinking too much ("drinking and driving") have gone down by 30% during the past 5 years, it remains a serious problem in the US. Alcohol-impaired drivers* are involved in about 1 in 3 crash deaths, resulting in nearly 11,000 deaths in 2009. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621672 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621672 Tue, 04 Oct 2011 17:08:00 EDT Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the US. Some people who smoke every day are smoking fewer cigarettes; however, even occasional smoking causes harm. The percentage of American adults who smoke decreased from 20.9% in 2005 to 19.3% in 2010. That translates to 3 million fewer smokers than there would have been with no decline. But almost 1 in 5 adults still smoke. Reducing tobacco use is a winnable battle—a public health priority with known, effective actions for success. A combination of smoke-free laws, cigarette price increases, access to proven quitting treatments and services, and hard-hitting media campaigns reduces health care costs and saves lives. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621671 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621671 Sun, 04 Sep 2011 17:07:00 EDT Childhood obesity is an epidemic. In the US, 1 preschooler in 5 is at least overweight, and half of these are obese. Breastfeeding helps protect against childhood obesity. A baby's risk of becoming an overweight child goes down with each month of breastfeeding. In the US, most babies start breastfeeding, but within the first week, half have already been given formula, and by 9 months, only 31% of babies are breastfeeding at all. Hospitals can either help or hinder mothers and babies as they begin to breastfeed. The Baby- Friendly Hospital Initiative describes Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding that have been shown to increase breastfeeding rates by providing support to mothers. Unfortunately, most US hospitals do not fully support breastfeeding; they should do more to make sure mothers can start and continue breastfeeding. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621670 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621670 Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:07:00 EDT Colorectal cancer is the #2 cancer killer in the US among cancers that affect both men and women. But it doesn't have to be. Screening can find precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening can also find colorectal cancer early when it is easiest to treat. A new CDC report says that rates of new cases and deaths of colorectal cancer are decreasing and more adults are being screened. Between 2003 and 2007, approximately 66,000 colorectal cancer cases were prevented and 32,000 lives were saved compared to 2002. Half of these prevented cases and deaths were due to screening. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621669 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621669 Mon, 04 Jul 2011 17:06:00 EDT Each year, roughly 1 in 6 people in the US gets sick from eating contaminated food. The 1,000 or more reported outbreaks that happen each year reveal familiar culprits—Salmonella and other common germs. We know that reducing contamination works. During the past 15 years, a dangerous type of E. coli infection, responsible for the recall of millions of pounds of ground beef, has been cut almost in half. Yet during that same time, Salmonella infection, which causes more hospitalizations and deaths than any other type of germ found in food and $365 million in direct medical costs annually, has not declined. Each year, 1 million people get sick from eating food contaminated with Salmonella. Applying lessons learned from reducing E. coli O157 infections could help reduce illness caused by Salmonella. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621668 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621668 Sat, 04 Jun 2011 17:06:00 EDT Asthma is a lifelong disease that causes wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. It can limit a person's quality of life. While we don't know why asthma rates are rising, we do know that most people with asthma can control their symptoms and prevent asthma attacks by avoiding asthma triggers and correctly using prescribed medicines, such as inhaled corticosteroids. The number of people diagnosed with asthma grew by 4.3 million from 2001 to 2009. From 2001 through 2009 asthma rates rose the most among black children, almost a 50% increase. Asthma was linked to 3,447 deaths (about 9 per day) in 2007. Asthma costs in the US grew from about $53 billion in 2002 to about $56 billion in 2007, about a 6% increase. Greater access to medical care is needed for the growing number of people with asthma. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621667 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621667 Wed, 04 May 2011 17:05:00 EDT Teen births in the US have declined over the last 20 years to the lowest level ever recorded, but still more than 86,000 teens ages 15 to 17 gave birth in 2012. Giving birth during the teen years has been linked with increased medical risks and emotional, social, and financial costs to the mother and her children. Becoming a teen mom affects whether the mother finishes high school, goes to college, and the type of job she will get, especially for younger teens ages 15 to 17. More can be done to prevent younger teens from becoming pregnant, particularly in health care. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8631943 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8631943 Fri, 08 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EDT More than 400,000 teen girls, aged 15-19 years, give birth each year in the US. The media often glamorize teens having sexual intercourse and teen parenting, but the reality is starkly different. Having a child during the teen years carries high costs—emotional, physical, and financial—to the mother, father, child, and community. Parents, educators, public health and medical professionals, and community organizations all have a role to play in reducing teen pregnancy. During the past 20 years, the rate of teen girls having children has dropped by about 40% to its lowest level since records began being kept 70 years ago. Despite this good news, there is still much work to do, because teen pregnancy has such a huge impact on the future of America's children. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621666 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621666 Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:05:00 EDT A central line is a tube that a doctor usually places in a large vein of a patient's neck or chest to give important medical treatment. When not put in correctly or kept clean, central lines can become a freeway for germs to enter the body and cause serious bloodstream infections. These infections can be deadly. Of patients who get a bloodstream infection from having a central line, up to 1 in 4 die. Bloodstream infections in patients with central lines are largely preventable when healthcare providers use CDC-recommended infection control steps. Medical professionals have reduced these infections in hospital intensive care unit (ICU) patients by 58% since 2001. Even so, many still occur in ICUs, in other parts of hospitals, and in outpatient care locations. In 2008, about 37,000 bloodstream infections occurred in hemodialysis* outpatients with central lines. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621665 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621665 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:04:00 EDT Heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular (blood vessel) diseases are among the leading cause of death and now kill more than 800,000 adults in the US each year. Of these, 150,000 are younger than age 65. These diseases are also two of the leading causes of health disparities in the US. Treatment of these diseases accounts for 1 in every 6 US health dollars spent. Two main reasons people have heart disease or stroke are high blood pressure* and cholesterol, which are common, deadly, and preventable. Nearly 2 out of 3 adults with high cholesterol and about half of adults with high blood pressure don't have their condition yet under control. Clearly, other steps are needed to gain control of these health risks. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621664 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621664 Fri, 04 Feb 2011 17:03:00 EDT Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people age 5 – 34. Adult seat belt use is the single most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries in crashes. The percentage of adults who always wear seat belts increased from 80% to 85% between 2002 and 2008. Even so, 1 in 7 adults do not wear a seat belt on every trip. Primary enforcement seat belt laws make a big difference in getting more people to buckle up.* In 2010, 19 states--where 1 in 4 adult Americans live--did not have a primary law. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621663 http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=8621663 Tue, 04 Jan 2011 17:02:00 EDT