Richard Franki is the associate editor who writes and creates graphs. He started with the company in 1987, when it was known as the International Medical News Group. In his years as a journalist, Richard has worked for Cap Cities/ABC, Disney, Harcourt, Elsevier, Quadrant, Frontline, and Internet Brands. In the 1990s, he was a contributor to the ill-fated Indications column, predecessor of Livin' on the MDedge.

Hospitalizations for opioid poisoning tripled in preschool children

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From 1997 to 2012, the annual number of hospitalizations for opioid poisoning rose 178% among children aged 1-19 years, according to data from over 13,000 discharge records.

In 2012, there were 2,918 hospitalizations for opioid poisoning among children aged 1-19, compared with 1,049 in 1997, reported Julie R. Gaither, PhD, MPH, RN, and her associates at Yale University in New Haven, Conn. (JAMA Pediatr. 2016 Oct 31. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.2154).

The greatest change occurred among the youngest children, as the number of those aged 1-4 years rose from 133 in 1997 to 421 in 2012 – an increase of 217%. For those aged 15-19 years, the annual number of hospitalizations went from 715 to 2,171 (204%) over that time period, which included a slight drop from 2009 to 2012, according to the investigators, who used data from 13,052 discharges in the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s Kids’ Inpatient Database.



The increase in hospitalizations for prescription opioid poisoning in children aged 10-14 years was 58% from 1997 to 2012 (rising from 171 to 272), while estimates for 5- to 9-year-olds did not meet the criteria for statistical reliability and were not included in the analysis, Dr. Gaither and her associates said.

The study was supported by grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The investigators did not report any conflicts of interest.

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From 1997 to 2012, the annual number of hospitalizations for opioid poisoning rose 178% among children aged 1-19 years, according to data from over 13,000 discharge records.

In 2012, there were 2,918 hospitalizations for opioid poisoning among children aged 1-19, compared with 1,049 in 1997, reported Julie R. Gaither, PhD, MPH, RN, and her associates at Yale University in New Haven, Conn. (JAMA Pediatr. 2016 Oct 31. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.2154).

The greatest change occurred among the youngest children, as the number of those aged 1-4 years rose from 133 in 1997 to 421 in 2012 – an increase of 217%. For those aged 15-19 years, the annual number of hospitalizations went from 715 to 2,171 (204%) over that time period, which included a slight drop from 2009 to 2012, according to the investigators, who used data from 13,052 discharges in the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s Kids’ Inpatient Database.



The increase in hospitalizations for prescription opioid poisoning in children aged 10-14 years was 58% from 1997 to 2012 (rising from 171 to 272), while estimates for 5- to 9-year-olds did not meet the criteria for statistical reliability and were not included in the analysis, Dr. Gaither and her associates said.

The study was supported by grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The investigators did not report any conflicts of interest.

 

From 1997 to 2012, the annual number of hospitalizations for opioid poisoning rose 178% among children aged 1-19 years, according to data from over 13,000 discharge records.

In 2012, there were 2,918 hospitalizations for opioid poisoning among children aged 1-19, compared with 1,049 in 1997, reported Julie R. Gaither, PhD, MPH, RN, and her associates at Yale University in New Haven, Conn. (JAMA Pediatr. 2016 Oct 31. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.2154).

The greatest change occurred among the youngest children, as the number of those aged 1-4 years rose from 133 in 1997 to 421 in 2012 – an increase of 217%. For those aged 15-19 years, the annual number of hospitalizations went from 715 to 2,171 (204%) over that time period, which included a slight drop from 2009 to 2012, according to the investigators, who used data from 13,052 discharges in the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s Kids’ Inpatient Database.



The increase in hospitalizations for prescription opioid poisoning in children aged 10-14 years was 58% from 1997 to 2012 (rising from 171 to 272), while estimates for 5- to 9-year-olds did not meet the criteria for statistical reliability and were not included in the analysis, Dr. Gaither and her associates said.

The study was supported by grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The investigators did not report any conflicts of interest.

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From 1997 to 2012, the annual number of hospitalizations for opioid poisoning rose 178% among children aged 1-19 years, according to data from over 13,000 discharge records.

United States nears 3,000 Zika-infected pregnancies

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There were 54 new cases of pregnant women with laboratory evidence of Zika virus in the 50 states and the District of Columbia reported during the week ending Oct. 20 – the largest weekly increase in a month, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The number of cases reported in the U.S. territories, 100, was lower for the second week in a row, however, so the U.S. total for the week was a fairly average 154. The total number of pregnant women with laboratory evidence of Zika virus infection is now 2,980 for the year: 953 in the states/D.C. and 2,027 in the territories, the CDC reported.

For the second consecutive week, there were no additional reports of liveborn infants with Zika-related birth defects or Zika-related pregnancy losses, so the respective totals for the year remain at 23 and 5 in the states/D.C. The CDC is no longer reporting adverse pregnancy outcomes for the territories because Puerto Rico is not using the same “inclusion criteria to monitor brain abnormalities and other adverse pregnancy outcomes.” There had been one liveborn infant and one pregnancy loss related to Zika as of Sept. 29 – the date of the last territorial report.

Among all Americans, the number of cases for 2015-2016 is now up to 32,814, with 1,396 new cases reported for the week ending Oct. 26: 75 in the states/D.C. and 1,321 in the territories. Almost all (98%) of the territorial cases have occurred in Puerto Rico, which continues to retroactively report cases, the CDC Arboviral Disease Branch noted.

Zika-related birth defects reported by the CDC could include microcephaly, calcium deposits in the brain indicating possible brain damage, excess fluid in the brain cavities and surrounding the brain, absent or poorly formed brain structures, abnormal eye development, or other problems resulting from brain damage that affect nerves, muscles, and bones. The pregnancy losses encompass any miscarriage, stillbirth, and termination with evidence of birth defects.

The pregnancy-related figures for states, territories, and D.C. reflect reporting to the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry; data for Puerto Rico are reported to the U.S. Zika Active Pregnancy Surveillance System.

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There were 54 new cases of pregnant women with laboratory evidence of Zika virus in the 50 states and the District of Columbia reported during the week ending Oct. 20 – the largest weekly increase in a month, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The number of cases reported in the U.S. territories, 100, was lower for the second week in a row, however, so the U.S. total for the week was a fairly average 154. The total number of pregnant women with laboratory evidence of Zika virus infection is now 2,980 for the year: 953 in the states/D.C. and 2,027 in the territories, the CDC reported.

For the second consecutive week, there were no additional reports of liveborn infants with Zika-related birth defects or Zika-related pregnancy losses, so the respective totals for the year remain at 23 and 5 in the states/D.C. The CDC is no longer reporting adverse pregnancy outcomes for the territories because Puerto Rico is not using the same “inclusion criteria to monitor brain abnormalities and other adverse pregnancy outcomes.” There had been one liveborn infant and one pregnancy loss related to Zika as of Sept. 29 – the date of the last territorial report.

Among all Americans, the number of cases for 2015-2016 is now up to 32,814, with 1,396 new cases reported for the week ending Oct. 26: 75 in the states/D.C. and 1,321 in the territories. Almost all (98%) of the territorial cases have occurred in Puerto Rico, which continues to retroactively report cases, the CDC Arboviral Disease Branch noted.

Zika-related birth defects reported by the CDC could include microcephaly, calcium deposits in the brain indicating possible brain damage, excess fluid in the brain cavities and surrounding the brain, absent or poorly formed brain structures, abnormal eye development, or other problems resulting from brain damage that affect nerves, muscles, and bones. The pregnancy losses encompass any miscarriage, stillbirth, and termination with evidence of birth defects.

The pregnancy-related figures for states, territories, and D.C. reflect reporting to the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry; data for Puerto Rico are reported to the U.S. Zika Active Pregnancy Surveillance System.

 

There were 54 new cases of pregnant women with laboratory evidence of Zika virus in the 50 states and the District of Columbia reported during the week ending Oct. 20 – the largest weekly increase in a month, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The number of cases reported in the U.S. territories, 100, was lower for the second week in a row, however, so the U.S. total for the week was a fairly average 154. The total number of pregnant women with laboratory evidence of Zika virus infection is now 2,980 for the year: 953 in the states/D.C. and 2,027 in the territories, the CDC reported.

For the second consecutive week, there were no additional reports of liveborn infants with Zika-related birth defects or Zika-related pregnancy losses, so the respective totals for the year remain at 23 and 5 in the states/D.C. The CDC is no longer reporting adverse pregnancy outcomes for the territories because Puerto Rico is not using the same “inclusion criteria to monitor brain abnormalities and other adverse pregnancy outcomes.” There had been one liveborn infant and one pregnancy loss related to Zika as of Sept. 29 – the date of the last territorial report.

Among all Americans, the number of cases for 2015-2016 is now up to 32,814, with 1,396 new cases reported for the week ending Oct. 26: 75 in the states/D.C. and 1,321 in the territories. Almost all (98%) of the territorial cases have occurred in Puerto Rico, which continues to retroactively report cases, the CDC Arboviral Disease Branch noted.

Zika-related birth defects reported by the CDC could include microcephaly, calcium deposits in the brain indicating possible brain damage, excess fluid in the brain cavities and surrounding the brain, absent or poorly formed brain structures, abnormal eye development, or other problems resulting from brain damage that affect nerves, muscles, and bones. The pregnancy losses encompass any miscarriage, stillbirth, and termination with evidence of birth defects.

The pregnancy-related figures for states, territories, and D.C. reflect reporting to the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry; data for Puerto Rico are reported to the U.S. Zika Active Pregnancy Surveillance System.

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Smoking-attributable cancer mortality highest in Kentucky

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Almost 29% of cancer deaths among U.S. adults aged 35 years and older were attributable to cigarette smoking in 2014, according to investigators from the American Cancer Society.

Of the 585,000 cancer deaths among those 35 years and older that year, more than 167,000 (28.6%) were estimated to be the result of cigarette smoking, reported Joannie Lortet-Tieulent, MSc, and her associates at the ACS in Atlanta (JAMA Intern Med. 2016 Oct 24. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.6530).

Cancer deaths attributable to cigarette smoking in adults aged 35 and older, 2014
Kentucky had the highest proportion of cancer deaths attributable to cigarette smoking at 34.0%, followed by Arkansas (33.5%), Tennessee (32.9%), West Virginia (32.6%), and Louisiana (32.6%). Utah was in a class by itself at the low end of the scale with a smoking-attributable cancer mortality of 16.6%, with California next highest at 25.5%, they said.

Among men aged 35 years and older, 33.7% of U.S. cancer deaths were attributable to cigarette smoking, compared with 22.9% for women. Arkansas had the highest rate (39.5%) for men and Kentucky had the highest rate (29.0%) for women. Not surprisingly, Utah had the lowest rate for both men (21.8%) and women (11.1%), according to the analysis of data from the 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. For men, Utah was the only state with a rate below 30%.

The investigators did not report any conflicts of interest. The study was supported by the intramural research department of the American Cancer Society.

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Almost 29% of cancer deaths among U.S. adults aged 35 years and older were attributable to cigarette smoking in 2014, according to investigators from the American Cancer Society.

Of the 585,000 cancer deaths among those 35 years and older that year, more than 167,000 (28.6%) were estimated to be the result of cigarette smoking, reported Joannie Lortet-Tieulent, MSc, and her associates at the ACS in Atlanta (JAMA Intern Med. 2016 Oct 24. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.6530).

Cancer deaths attributable to cigarette smoking in adults aged 35 and older, 2014
Kentucky had the highest proportion of cancer deaths attributable to cigarette smoking at 34.0%, followed by Arkansas (33.5%), Tennessee (32.9%), West Virginia (32.6%), and Louisiana (32.6%). Utah was in a class by itself at the low end of the scale with a smoking-attributable cancer mortality of 16.6%, with California next highest at 25.5%, they said.

Among men aged 35 years and older, 33.7% of U.S. cancer deaths were attributable to cigarette smoking, compared with 22.9% for women. Arkansas had the highest rate (39.5%) for men and Kentucky had the highest rate (29.0%) for women. Not surprisingly, Utah had the lowest rate for both men (21.8%) and women (11.1%), according to the analysis of data from the 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. For men, Utah was the only state with a rate below 30%.

The investigators did not report any conflicts of interest. The study was supported by the intramural research department of the American Cancer Society.

 

Almost 29% of cancer deaths among U.S. adults aged 35 years and older were attributable to cigarette smoking in 2014, according to investigators from the American Cancer Society.

Of the 585,000 cancer deaths among those 35 years and older that year, more than 167,000 (28.6%) were estimated to be the result of cigarette smoking, reported Joannie Lortet-Tieulent, MSc, and her associates at the ACS in Atlanta (JAMA Intern Med. 2016 Oct 24. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.6530).

Cancer deaths attributable to cigarette smoking in adults aged 35 and older, 2014
Kentucky had the highest proportion of cancer deaths attributable to cigarette smoking at 34.0%, followed by Arkansas (33.5%), Tennessee (32.9%), West Virginia (32.6%), and Louisiana (32.6%). Utah was in a class by itself at the low end of the scale with a smoking-attributable cancer mortality of 16.6%, with California next highest at 25.5%, they said.

Among men aged 35 years and older, 33.7% of U.S. cancer deaths were attributable to cigarette smoking, compared with 22.9% for women. Arkansas had the highest rate (39.5%) for men and Kentucky had the highest rate (29.0%) for women. Not surprisingly, Utah had the lowest rate for both men (21.8%) and women (11.1%), according to the analysis of data from the 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. For men, Utah was the only state with a rate below 30%.

The investigators did not report any conflicts of interest. The study was supported by the intramural research department of the American Cancer Society.

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Zika increase slows slightly in pregnant women

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The total number of pregnant women in the United States and its territories with laboratory evidence of Zika infection rose by 142 for the week ending Oct. 13 – the smallest increase since early September, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There were 121 new cases of Zika virus infection in pregnant women reported in the U.S. territories and 21 new cases in the states and the District of Columbia, bringing the corresponding totals for the year to 1,927 cases in the territories and 899 in the states/D.C. – a total of 2,826 pregnant women with Zika in the United States, the CDC reported Oct. 20.

No additional liveborn infants with Zika-related birth defects or Zika-related pregnancy losses were reported for the week ending Oct. 13, so the respective totals for the year hold at 23 and 5 in the states/D.C. The CDC is no longer reporting adverse pregnancy outcomes for the territories because Puerto Rico is not using the same “inclusion criteria to monitor brain abnormalities and other adverse pregnancy outcomes.” As of Sept. 29 – the date of the last territorial report – there had been one liveborn infant and one pregnancy loss related to Zika.

The Zika caseload among all Americans was 31,418 as of Oct. 19. An additional 80 cases reported from Oct. 14 through Oct. 19 brought the state/D.C. total to 4,016, and 1,447 new cases for the week brings the territorial total to 27,402 for 2015-2016, the CDC reported.

Zika-related birth defects reported by the CDC could include microcephaly, calcium deposits in the brain indicating possible brain damage, excess fluid in the brain cavities and surrounding the brain, absent or poorly formed brain structures, abnormal eye development, or other problems resulting from brain damage that affect nerves, muscles, and bones. The pregnancy losses encompass any miscarriage, stillbirth, and termination with evidence of birth defects.

The pregnancy-related figures for states, territories, and D.C. reflect reporting to the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry; data for Puerto Rico are reported to the U.S. Zika Active Pregnancy Surveillance System.

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The total number of pregnant women in the United States and its territories with laboratory evidence of Zika infection rose by 142 for the week ending Oct. 13 – the smallest increase since early September, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There were 121 new cases of Zika virus infection in pregnant women reported in the U.S. territories and 21 new cases in the states and the District of Columbia, bringing the corresponding totals for the year to 1,927 cases in the territories and 899 in the states/D.C. – a total of 2,826 pregnant women with Zika in the United States, the CDC reported Oct. 20.

No additional liveborn infants with Zika-related birth defects or Zika-related pregnancy losses were reported for the week ending Oct. 13, so the respective totals for the year hold at 23 and 5 in the states/D.C. The CDC is no longer reporting adverse pregnancy outcomes for the territories because Puerto Rico is not using the same “inclusion criteria to monitor brain abnormalities and other adverse pregnancy outcomes.” As of Sept. 29 – the date of the last territorial report – there had been one liveborn infant and one pregnancy loss related to Zika.

The Zika caseload among all Americans was 31,418 as of Oct. 19. An additional 80 cases reported from Oct. 14 through Oct. 19 brought the state/D.C. total to 4,016, and 1,447 new cases for the week brings the territorial total to 27,402 for 2015-2016, the CDC reported.

Zika-related birth defects reported by the CDC could include microcephaly, calcium deposits in the brain indicating possible brain damage, excess fluid in the brain cavities and surrounding the brain, absent or poorly formed brain structures, abnormal eye development, or other problems resulting from brain damage that affect nerves, muscles, and bones. The pregnancy losses encompass any miscarriage, stillbirth, and termination with evidence of birth defects.

The pregnancy-related figures for states, territories, and D.C. reflect reporting to the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry; data for Puerto Rico are reported to the U.S. Zika Active Pregnancy Surveillance System.

 

The total number of pregnant women in the United States and its territories with laboratory evidence of Zika infection rose by 142 for the week ending Oct. 13 – the smallest increase since early September, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There were 121 new cases of Zika virus infection in pregnant women reported in the U.S. territories and 21 new cases in the states and the District of Columbia, bringing the corresponding totals for the year to 1,927 cases in the territories and 899 in the states/D.C. – a total of 2,826 pregnant women with Zika in the United States, the CDC reported Oct. 20.

No additional liveborn infants with Zika-related birth defects or Zika-related pregnancy losses were reported for the week ending Oct. 13, so the respective totals for the year hold at 23 and 5 in the states/D.C. The CDC is no longer reporting adverse pregnancy outcomes for the territories because Puerto Rico is not using the same “inclusion criteria to monitor brain abnormalities and other adverse pregnancy outcomes.” As of Sept. 29 – the date of the last territorial report – there had been one liveborn infant and one pregnancy loss related to Zika.

The Zika caseload among all Americans was 31,418 as of Oct. 19. An additional 80 cases reported from Oct. 14 through Oct. 19 brought the state/D.C. total to 4,016, and 1,447 new cases for the week brings the territorial total to 27,402 for 2015-2016, the CDC reported.

Zika-related birth defects reported by the CDC could include microcephaly, calcium deposits in the brain indicating possible brain damage, excess fluid in the brain cavities and surrounding the brain, absent or poorly formed brain structures, abnormal eye development, or other problems resulting from brain damage that affect nerves, muscles, and bones. The pregnancy losses encompass any miscarriage, stillbirth, and termination with evidence of birth defects.

The pregnancy-related figures for states, territories, and D.C. reflect reporting to the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry; data for Puerto Rico are reported to the U.S. Zika Active Pregnancy Surveillance System.

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Uninsured rate lowest in Massachusetts

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Massachusetts had the nation’s lowest uninsured rate in 2015, and Texas had the highest, according to the personal finance website WalletHub.

Massachusetts’ uninsured rate of 2.8% was followed by Vermont at 3.8%, Hawaii at 4%, Minnesota at 4.5%, and Iowa at 5%, WalletHub reported.

The other end of the scale offered more proof that everything is bigger in Texas: The state’s 17.1% of population without insurance was the country’s highest. Alaska was 49th with a rate of 14.9%, which was preceded by Oklahoma at 13.9%, Georgia at 13.6%, and Florida at 13.3%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau data used in the analysis.

Nevada, which was 44th overall in 2015, had the largest reduction (–10.3%) in its uninsured rate from 2010 to 2015. Oregon had the next-largest drop (10.1%) and Massachusetts had the smallest decrease at –1.6%, meaning that no state saw an increase over the 5-year period, the WalletHub report showed.

A quick run through some subgroups shows that Vermont had the lowest percentage of uninsured children (1%) and Alaska had the highest (10.6%), Massachusetts was lowest for whites (2.2%) and Hispanics (5.3%) while Mississippi was highest (10.9% white and 37.6% Hispanic). Hawaii had the lowest rate (3.8%) for blacks, and Montana had the highest (17.4%), WalletHub said.

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Massachusetts had the nation’s lowest uninsured rate in 2015, and Texas had the highest, according to the personal finance website WalletHub.

Massachusetts’ uninsured rate of 2.8% was followed by Vermont at 3.8%, Hawaii at 4%, Minnesota at 4.5%, and Iowa at 5%, WalletHub reported.

The other end of the scale offered more proof that everything is bigger in Texas: The state’s 17.1% of population without insurance was the country’s highest. Alaska was 49th with a rate of 14.9%, which was preceded by Oklahoma at 13.9%, Georgia at 13.6%, and Florida at 13.3%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau data used in the analysis.

Nevada, which was 44th overall in 2015, had the largest reduction (–10.3%) in its uninsured rate from 2010 to 2015. Oregon had the next-largest drop (10.1%) and Massachusetts had the smallest decrease at –1.6%, meaning that no state saw an increase over the 5-year period, the WalletHub report showed.

A quick run through some subgroups shows that Vermont had the lowest percentage of uninsured children (1%) and Alaska had the highest (10.6%), Massachusetts was lowest for whites (2.2%) and Hispanics (5.3%) while Mississippi was highest (10.9% white and 37.6% Hispanic). Hawaii had the lowest rate (3.8%) for blacks, and Montana had the highest (17.4%), WalletHub said.

 

Massachusetts had the nation’s lowest uninsured rate in 2015, and Texas had the highest, according to the personal finance website WalletHub.

Massachusetts’ uninsured rate of 2.8% was followed by Vermont at 3.8%, Hawaii at 4%, Minnesota at 4.5%, and Iowa at 5%, WalletHub reported.

The other end of the scale offered more proof that everything is bigger in Texas: The state’s 17.1% of population without insurance was the country’s highest. Alaska was 49th with a rate of 14.9%, which was preceded by Oklahoma at 13.9%, Georgia at 13.6%, and Florida at 13.3%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau data used in the analysis.

Nevada, which was 44th overall in 2015, had the largest reduction (–10.3%) in its uninsured rate from 2010 to 2015. Oregon had the next-largest drop (10.1%) and Massachusetts had the smallest decrease at –1.6%, meaning that no state saw an increase over the 5-year period, the WalletHub report showed.

A quick run through some subgroups shows that Vermont had the lowest percentage of uninsured children (1%) and Alaska had the highest (10.6%), Massachusetts was lowest for whites (2.2%) and Hispanics (5.3%) while Mississippi was highest (10.9% white and 37.6% Hispanic). Hawaii had the lowest rate (3.8%) for blacks, and Montana had the highest (17.4%), WalletHub said.

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High-risk deliveries much more likely to be C-sections

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Cesarean section rates for low-risk deliveries are 4.7 times lower than for deliveries that had a medical indication for the procedure listed in the record, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The C-section rate for non–low-risk deliveries (deliveries with a medical indication that excluded them from the low-risk category) was 76.1% in 2013, compared with 16.2% for low-risk deliveries. Conversely, 23.9% of non–low-risk deliveries that year were performed vaginally, compared with 83.8% of low-risk deliveries, the AHRQ reported.

Of the more than 3.5 million deliveries that took place in the almost-nationwide study population in 2013, just under 1 million (28.2%) were considered non–low risk. By type of delivery, almost 65% of the 1.2 million cesareans performed were non–low risk deliveries, compared with only 10% of the nearly 2.4 million vaginal deliveries, the AHRQ noted.

The AHRQ analysis combined a new definition of low-risk delivery developed by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2016;214[2]:153-63) with data from the State Inpatient Databases of 43 states and the District of Columbia. This approach allowed AHRQ researchers to apply the new definition to actual counts of deliveries from 2,719 hospitals – representing 95% of the population – instead of national estimates based on a much smaller sample.

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Cesarean section rates for low-risk deliveries are 4.7 times lower than for deliveries that had a medical indication for the procedure listed in the record, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The C-section rate for non–low-risk deliveries (deliveries with a medical indication that excluded them from the low-risk category) was 76.1% in 2013, compared with 16.2% for low-risk deliveries. Conversely, 23.9% of non–low-risk deliveries that year were performed vaginally, compared with 83.8% of low-risk deliveries, the AHRQ reported.

Of the more than 3.5 million deliveries that took place in the almost-nationwide study population in 2013, just under 1 million (28.2%) were considered non–low risk. By type of delivery, almost 65% of the 1.2 million cesareans performed were non–low risk deliveries, compared with only 10% of the nearly 2.4 million vaginal deliveries, the AHRQ noted.

The AHRQ analysis combined a new definition of low-risk delivery developed by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2016;214[2]:153-63) with data from the State Inpatient Databases of 43 states and the District of Columbia. This approach allowed AHRQ researchers to apply the new definition to actual counts of deliveries from 2,719 hospitals – representing 95% of the population – instead of national estimates based on a much smaller sample.

 

Cesarean section rates for low-risk deliveries are 4.7 times lower than for deliveries that had a medical indication for the procedure listed in the record, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The C-section rate for non–low-risk deliveries (deliveries with a medical indication that excluded them from the low-risk category) was 76.1% in 2013, compared with 16.2% for low-risk deliveries. Conversely, 23.9% of non–low-risk deliveries that year were performed vaginally, compared with 83.8% of low-risk deliveries, the AHRQ reported.

Of the more than 3.5 million deliveries that took place in the almost-nationwide study population in 2013, just under 1 million (28.2%) were considered non–low risk. By type of delivery, almost 65% of the 1.2 million cesareans performed were non–low risk deliveries, compared with only 10% of the nearly 2.4 million vaginal deliveries, the AHRQ noted.

The AHRQ analysis combined a new definition of low-risk delivery developed by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2016;214[2]:153-63) with data from the State Inpatient Databases of 43 states and the District of Columbia. This approach allowed AHRQ researchers to apply the new definition to actual counts of deliveries from 2,719 hospitals – representing 95% of the population – instead of national estimates based on a much smaller sample.

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Number of Zika-infected pregnant women continues to climb

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Fri, 01/18/2019 - 16:16

 

The number of pregnant women with laboratory evidence of Zika infection increased by 209 for the week ending Oct. 6, the second-largest weekly increase so far in the United States in 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Another liveborn infant with Zika-related birth defects also was reported for the week, bringing the total for the year to 23 for the 50 states and the District of Columbia. There were no new cases of Zika-related pregnancy losses reported, so the 50-state/DC total remains at five.

The CDC said that it will no longer report adverse pregnancy outcomes for the territories because Puerto Rico is not using the same “inclusion criteria to monitor brain abnormalities and other adverse pregnancy outcomes potentially related to Zika virus infection.” As of Sept. 29, there had been one liveborn infant and one pregnancy loss related to Zika reported in the U.S. territories.

Of the 209 new cases reported for the week ending Oct. 6, 41 were in the states/D.C. and 168 were in the territories. The total number of U.S. Zika cases in pregnant women for the year is 2,684: 878 in the states/D.C. and 1,806 in the territories, the CDC said.

Among all Americans, there were 29,891 cases reported as of Oct. 12: 3,936 in the states/D.C. and 25,955 in the territories. Of the territorial cases, 98% have been in Puerto Rico, the CDC reported.

Zika-related birth defects reported by the CDC could include microcephaly, calcium deposits in the brain indicating possible brain damage, excess fluid in the brain cavities and surrounding the brain, absent or poorly formed brain structures, abnormal eye development, or other problems resulting from brain damage that affect nerves, muscles, and bones. The pregnancy losses encompass any miscarriage, stillbirth, and termination with evidence of birth defects.

The pregnancy-related figures for states, territories, and D.C. reflect reporting to the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry; data for Puerto Rico are reported to the U.S. Zika Active Pregnancy Surveillance System.

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The number of pregnant women with laboratory evidence of Zika infection increased by 209 for the week ending Oct. 6, the second-largest weekly increase so far in the United States in 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Another liveborn infant with Zika-related birth defects also was reported for the week, bringing the total for the year to 23 for the 50 states and the District of Columbia. There were no new cases of Zika-related pregnancy losses reported, so the 50-state/DC total remains at five.

The CDC said that it will no longer report adverse pregnancy outcomes for the territories because Puerto Rico is not using the same “inclusion criteria to monitor brain abnormalities and other adverse pregnancy outcomes potentially related to Zika virus infection.” As of Sept. 29, there had been one liveborn infant and one pregnancy loss related to Zika reported in the U.S. territories.

Of the 209 new cases reported for the week ending Oct. 6, 41 were in the states/D.C. and 168 were in the territories. The total number of U.S. Zika cases in pregnant women for the year is 2,684: 878 in the states/D.C. and 1,806 in the territories, the CDC said.

Among all Americans, there were 29,891 cases reported as of Oct. 12: 3,936 in the states/D.C. and 25,955 in the territories. Of the territorial cases, 98% have been in Puerto Rico, the CDC reported.

Zika-related birth defects reported by the CDC could include microcephaly, calcium deposits in the brain indicating possible brain damage, excess fluid in the brain cavities and surrounding the brain, absent or poorly formed brain structures, abnormal eye development, or other problems resulting from brain damage that affect nerves, muscles, and bones. The pregnancy losses encompass any miscarriage, stillbirth, and termination with evidence of birth defects.

The pregnancy-related figures for states, territories, and D.C. reflect reporting to the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry; data for Puerto Rico are reported to the U.S. Zika Active Pregnancy Surveillance System.

 

The number of pregnant women with laboratory evidence of Zika infection increased by 209 for the week ending Oct. 6, the second-largest weekly increase so far in the United States in 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Another liveborn infant with Zika-related birth defects also was reported for the week, bringing the total for the year to 23 for the 50 states and the District of Columbia. There were no new cases of Zika-related pregnancy losses reported, so the 50-state/DC total remains at five.

The CDC said that it will no longer report adverse pregnancy outcomes for the territories because Puerto Rico is not using the same “inclusion criteria to monitor brain abnormalities and other adverse pregnancy outcomes potentially related to Zika virus infection.” As of Sept. 29, there had been one liveborn infant and one pregnancy loss related to Zika reported in the U.S. territories.

Of the 209 new cases reported for the week ending Oct. 6, 41 were in the states/D.C. and 168 were in the territories. The total number of U.S. Zika cases in pregnant women for the year is 2,684: 878 in the states/D.C. and 1,806 in the territories, the CDC said.

Among all Americans, there were 29,891 cases reported as of Oct. 12: 3,936 in the states/D.C. and 25,955 in the territories. Of the territorial cases, 98% have been in Puerto Rico, the CDC reported.

Zika-related birth defects reported by the CDC could include microcephaly, calcium deposits in the brain indicating possible brain damage, excess fluid in the brain cavities and surrounding the brain, absent or poorly formed brain structures, abnormal eye development, or other problems resulting from brain damage that affect nerves, muscles, and bones. The pregnancy losses encompass any miscarriage, stillbirth, and termination with evidence of birth defects.

The pregnancy-related figures for states, territories, and D.C. reflect reporting to the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry; data for Puerto Rico are reported to the U.S. Zika Active Pregnancy Surveillance System.

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United States nears 2,500 Zika cases in pregnant women

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The number of Zika virus cases continue to rise, with 177 more pregnant women showing laboratory evidence of infection in the United States for the week ending Sept. 29, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The week also included a report of another live-born infant with Zika-related birth defects, bringing the U.S. total to 23 for the year: 22 in the 50 states and District of Columbia and 1 in the territories, the CDC reported Oct. 6. There also have been six Zika-related pregnancy losses reported so far in the states and territories, a number that has not changed since early August.

The total number of pregnant women with Zika infection is 2,475 for the year: 837 in the states/D.C. and 1,638 in the territories. Of the 177 cases reported for the week ending Sept. 29, 29 were from the states/D.C. and 148 were from the territories.

There have been 28,019 cases of Zika reported among all Americans as of Oct. 5, with the majority (86%) coming from the territories and the majority of those cases (98%) coming from Puerto Rico, according to an update from the CDC’s Arboviral Disease Branch.

Zika-related birth defects reported by the CDC could include microcephaly, calcium deposits in the brain indicating possible brain damage, excess fluid in the brain cavities and surrounding the brain, absent or poorly formed brain structures, abnormal eye development, or other problems resulting from brain damage that affect nerves, muscles, and bones. The pregnancy losses encompass any miscarriage, stillbirth, and termination with evidence of birth defects.

The pregnancy-related figures for states, territories, and D.C. reflect reporting to the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry; data for Puerto Rico are reported to the U.S. Zika Active Pregnancy Surveillance System.

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The number of Zika virus cases continue to rise, with 177 more pregnant women showing laboratory evidence of infection in the United States for the week ending Sept. 29, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The week also included a report of another live-born infant with Zika-related birth defects, bringing the U.S. total to 23 for the year: 22 in the 50 states and District of Columbia and 1 in the territories, the CDC reported Oct. 6. There also have been six Zika-related pregnancy losses reported so far in the states and territories, a number that has not changed since early August.

The total number of pregnant women with Zika infection is 2,475 for the year: 837 in the states/D.C. and 1,638 in the territories. Of the 177 cases reported for the week ending Sept. 29, 29 were from the states/D.C. and 148 were from the territories.

There have been 28,019 cases of Zika reported among all Americans as of Oct. 5, with the majority (86%) coming from the territories and the majority of those cases (98%) coming from Puerto Rico, according to an update from the CDC’s Arboviral Disease Branch.

Zika-related birth defects reported by the CDC could include microcephaly, calcium deposits in the brain indicating possible brain damage, excess fluid in the brain cavities and surrounding the brain, absent or poorly formed brain structures, abnormal eye development, or other problems resulting from brain damage that affect nerves, muscles, and bones. The pregnancy losses encompass any miscarriage, stillbirth, and termination with evidence of birth defects.

The pregnancy-related figures for states, territories, and D.C. reflect reporting to the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry; data for Puerto Rico are reported to the U.S. Zika Active Pregnancy Surveillance System.

 

The number of Zika virus cases continue to rise, with 177 more pregnant women showing laboratory evidence of infection in the United States for the week ending Sept. 29, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The week also included a report of another live-born infant with Zika-related birth defects, bringing the U.S. total to 23 for the year: 22 in the 50 states and District of Columbia and 1 in the territories, the CDC reported Oct. 6. There also have been six Zika-related pregnancy losses reported so far in the states and territories, a number that has not changed since early August.

The total number of pregnant women with Zika infection is 2,475 for the year: 837 in the states/D.C. and 1,638 in the territories. Of the 177 cases reported for the week ending Sept. 29, 29 were from the states/D.C. and 148 were from the territories.

There have been 28,019 cases of Zika reported among all Americans as of Oct. 5, with the majority (86%) coming from the territories and the majority of those cases (98%) coming from Puerto Rico, according to an update from the CDC’s Arboviral Disease Branch.

Zika-related birth defects reported by the CDC could include microcephaly, calcium deposits in the brain indicating possible brain damage, excess fluid in the brain cavities and surrounding the brain, absent or poorly formed brain structures, abnormal eye development, or other problems resulting from brain damage that affect nerves, muscles, and bones. The pregnancy losses encompass any miscarriage, stillbirth, and termination with evidence of birth defects.

The pregnancy-related figures for states, territories, and D.C. reflect reporting to the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry; data for Puerto Rico are reported to the U.S. Zika Active Pregnancy Surveillance System.

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Teen birth rates continue to decline in the United States

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Thu, 03/28/2019 - 15:01

 

The birth rate for U.S. teens aged 15-19 years fell to a historic low in 2015, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

The teen birth rate of 22.3/1,000 females aged 15-19 years for 2015 was down by almost 8% from the year before and marks the seventh consecutive year of historic lows. Since 1991, when 61.8/1,000 teens aged 15-19 gave birth, the rate has fallen 64%, the NCHS reported.

The rate for the younger half of the age group, females aged 15-17 years, was 9.9/1,000 in 2015 – down 9% from 2014. Those aged 17-19 years had a birth rate of 40.7/1,000 in 2015, which was 7% lower than the previous year. Both of these rates also were historic lows, the NCHS noted.

For teens aged 15-19 years, the birth rate declined for each race/ethnicity: dropping 8% for non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics, 9% for non-Hispanic blacks, 10% for Asians or Pacific Islanders, and 6% for American Indians or Alaska Natives. All rates for 2015 were historically low.

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The birth rate for U.S. teens aged 15-19 years fell to a historic low in 2015, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

The teen birth rate of 22.3/1,000 females aged 15-19 years for 2015 was down by almost 8% from the year before and marks the seventh consecutive year of historic lows. Since 1991, when 61.8/1,000 teens aged 15-19 gave birth, the rate has fallen 64%, the NCHS reported.

The rate for the younger half of the age group, females aged 15-17 years, was 9.9/1,000 in 2015 – down 9% from 2014. Those aged 17-19 years had a birth rate of 40.7/1,000 in 2015, which was 7% lower than the previous year. Both of these rates also were historic lows, the NCHS noted.

For teens aged 15-19 years, the birth rate declined for each race/ethnicity: dropping 8% for non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics, 9% for non-Hispanic blacks, 10% for Asians or Pacific Islanders, and 6% for American Indians or Alaska Natives. All rates for 2015 were historically low.

 

The birth rate for U.S. teens aged 15-19 years fell to a historic low in 2015, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

The teen birth rate of 22.3/1,000 females aged 15-19 years for 2015 was down by almost 8% from the year before and marks the seventh consecutive year of historic lows. Since 1991, when 61.8/1,000 teens aged 15-19 gave birth, the rate has fallen 64%, the NCHS reported.

The rate for the younger half of the age group, females aged 15-17 years, was 9.9/1,000 in 2015 – down 9% from 2014. Those aged 17-19 years had a birth rate of 40.7/1,000 in 2015, which was 7% lower than the previous year. Both of these rates also were historic lows, the NCHS noted.

For teens aged 15-19 years, the birth rate declined for each race/ethnicity: dropping 8% for non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics, 9% for non-Hispanic blacks, 10% for Asians or Pacific Islanders, and 6% for American Indians or Alaska Natives. All rates for 2015 were historically low.

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Zika virus shows no signs of slowing down

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Fri, 01/18/2019 - 16:14

 

Zika virus transmission continues at a rapid clip as the number of new cases among pregnant women topped 200 again for the week ending Sept. 22, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

After setting a new high of 210 the previous week, there were 201 new cases of pregnant women with laboratory-confirmed Zika infection for the week ending Sept. 22. There were 59 new cases in the 50 states and the District of Columbia and 142 new cases in the U.S. territories, the CDC reported Sept. 29. In the United States this year, there have been 2,298 reported cases of Zika-infected pregnant women: 808 in the states and D.C. and 1,490 in the territories.

The 21st liveborn infant with Zika-related birth defects was reported in the 50 states/D.C. for the week ending Sept. 22, but no new cases were reported in the territories, and there were no new Zika-related pregnancy loses anywhere in the United States. The number of liveborn infants with birth defects is now 22, and there have been six pregnancy losses: five in the states/D.C. and one in the territories, the CDC said on Sept. 29.

Among all Americans, there were 2,559 new cases of Zika infection as of Sept. 28 – 267 in the states/D.C. and 2,292 in the territories – although Puerto Rico continues to retroactively report cases, which has been pushing the numbers higher in recent weeks. There have been 25,694 total cases of Zika infection in 2015-2016, the CDC reported.

Zika-related birth defects reported by the CDC could include microcephaly, calcium deposits in the brain indicating possible brain damage, excess fluid in the brain cavities and surrounding the brain, absent or poorly formed brain structures, abnormal eye development, or other problems resulting from brain damage that affect nerves, muscles, and bones. The pregnancy losses encompass any miscarriage, stillbirth, and termination with evidence of birth defects.

The figures for states, territories, and D.C. reflect reporting to the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry; data for Puerto Rico are reported to the U.S. Zika Active Pregnancy Surveillance System.

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Zika virus transmission continues at a rapid clip as the number of new cases among pregnant women topped 200 again for the week ending Sept. 22, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

After setting a new high of 210 the previous week, there were 201 new cases of pregnant women with laboratory-confirmed Zika infection for the week ending Sept. 22. There were 59 new cases in the 50 states and the District of Columbia and 142 new cases in the U.S. territories, the CDC reported Sept. 29. In the United States this year, there have been 2,298 reported cases of Zika-infected pregnant women: 808 in the states and D.C. and 1,490 in the territories.

The 21st liveborn infant with Zika-related birth defects was reported in the 50 states/D.C. for the week ending Sept. 22, but no new cases were reported in the territories, and there were no new Zika-related pregnancy loses anywhere in the United States. The number of liveborn infants with birth defects is now 22, and there have been six pregnancy losses: five in the states/D.C. and one in the territories, the CDC said on Sept. 29.

Among all Americans, there were 2,559 new cases of Zika infection as of Sept. 28 – 267 in the states/D.C. and 2,292 in the territories – although Puerto Rico continues to retroactively report cases, which has been pushing the numbers higher in recent weeks. There have been 25,694 total cases of Zika infection in 2015-2016, the CDC reported.

Zika-related birth defects reported by the CDC could include microcephaly, calcium deposits in the brain indicating possible brain damage, excess fluid in the brain cavities and surrounding the brain, absent or poorly formed brain structures, abnormal eye development, or other problems resulting from brain damage that affect nerves, muscles, and bones. The pregnancy losses encompass any miscarriage, stillbirth, and termination with evidence of birth defects.

The figures for states, territories, and D.C. reflect reporting to the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry; data for Puerto Rico are reported to the U.S. Zika Active Pregnancy Surveillance System.

 

Zika virus transmission continues at a rapid clip as the number of new cases among pregnant women topped 200 again for the week ending Sept. 22, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

After setting a new high of 210 the previous week, there were 201 new cases of pregnant women with laboratory-confirmed Zika infection for the week ending Sept. 22. There were 59 new cases in the 50 states and the District of Columbia and 142 new cases in the U.S. territories, the CDC reported Sept. 29. In the United States this year, there have been 2,298 reported cases of Zika-infected pregnant women: 808 in the states and D.C. and 1,490 in the territories.

The 21st liveborn infant with Zika-related birth defects was reported in the 50 states/D.C. for the week ending Sept. 22, but no new cases were reported in the territories, and there were no new Zika-related pregnancy loses anywhere in the United States. The number of liveborn infants with birth defects is now 22, and there have been six pregnancy losses: five in the states/D.C. and one in the territories, the CDC said on Sept. 29.

Among all Americans, there were 2,559 new cases of Zika infection as of Sept. 28 – 267 in the states/D.C. and 2,292 in the territories – although Puerto Rico continues to retroactively report cases, which has been pushing the numbers higher in recent weeks. There have been 25,694 total cases of Zika infection in 2015-2016, the CDC reported.

Zika-related birth defects reported by the CDC could include microcephaly, calcium deposits in the brain indicating possible brain damage, excess fluid in the brain cavities and surrounding the brain, absent or poorly formed brain structures, abnormal eye development, or other problems resulting from brain damage that affect nerves, muscles, and bones. The pregnancy losses encompass any miscarriage, stillbirth, and termination with evidence of birth defects.

The figures for states, territories, and D.C. reflect reporting to the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry; data for Puerto Rico are reported to the U.S. Zika Active Pregnancy Surveillance System.

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