This episode discusses four MMWR reports. First, a new report describes updates to CDC's tracking of COVID-19 data. Second, early death data show COVID-19 fell from the third to fourth leading cause of death in 2022. Third, most COVID-19 deaths occurred in hospitals, but an increasing percentage occurred in the decedent's home or in a nursing home or long-term care facility. Finally, cigarette smoking declined from 12.5% in 2020 to 11.5% in 2021, the lowest level recorded since 1965. However, the use of smoked tobacco products remains high.

Week of May 1, 2023

This weekly podcast series summarizes the latest scientific information published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

Science & Medicine

Natural Sciences

Social Sciences

Medicine

This episode discusses four MMWR reports. First, extreme heat caused more emergency department visits in several U.S. regions in 2023 than in previous years. Second, health-related social needs, such as social isolation, dissatisfaction with life, and barriers to health care access, were associated with decreased mammogram use. Third, nursing home residents continued to get COVID-19 infection and be hospitalized during the most recent respiratory virus season. Fewer than half of nursing home residents were up to date with COVID-19 vaccines by February 2024. Finally, original COVID-19 vaccines protected children against hospitalizations, but the protection decreased over time.

Week of April 15, 2024

This episode discusses four MMWR reports. First, there was a rapid increase in the number of reported measles cases during the first quarter of 2024. Almost all cases occurred in people who were unvaccinated or with unknown vaccination status. Second, backyard poultry might increase the risk of Salmonella in infants and newborns, even in the absence of direct exposure. Third, new data show COVID-19 vaccines did not cause cardiac death in teens and young adults in Oregon. Finally, a cluster of central nervous infections at the Rhode Island Hospital was associated with a medical device commonly used in neurosurgery.

Week of April 8, 2024

This episode discusses four MMWR reports. First, most newborns with sickle cell disease are born to mothers living in socially vulnerable counties. Second, CDC encourages providers to "Think. Test. Treat TB" as U.S. tuberculosis cases increase. Third, updated 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of hospitalization by about one-third among adults with weakened immune systems. Finally, lab tests used to diagnose rash may incorrectly indicate a child has measles if the child recently received a measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.

Week of April 1, 2024

This episode discusses three MMWR reports. First, diagnosing chickenpox can be challenging; a lab test can help. Next, more than 13 million people with HIV were given lifesaving tuberculosis preventive treatment through PEPFAR-supported programs. Finally, prompt diagnosis and treatment of fungal diseases is needed.

Week of March 18, 2024

This episode discusses four MMWR reports. Measles is a highly contagious vaccine-preventable disease. It can cause serious complications, particularly in young children. About 1 of every 5 people with measles have to be hospitalized. Thanks to a strong childhood vaccination program, measles stopped being constantly present in the U.S. in 2000. As the number of unvaccinated children increases, however, measles outbreaks are becoming more common. In the first report, the Cook County Department of Public Health in Illinois launched an investigation after five measles cases were reported in the fall of 2023.

Week of May 1, 2023

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