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The article presents a study investigating disease trends related to group B Streptococcal disease as a cause of mortality in newborns and the elderly in the U.S. The objective of the study was to reveal potential benefits from vaccination and inform evolving prevention strategies. The study measured age- and race-specific incidence of invasive group B streptococcal disease through analysis of population-based surveillance in 10 U.S. states. Researchers reported a decrease in the incidence of group B streptococcal disease among infants from birth to 6 days in 2003-2005 relative to 1999-2001. However, a significant increase in the disease in adults was reported during the same period.

Presents a study to assess pneumococcal disease burden in the United States, estimate the potential impact of new vaccines, and identify gaps in vaccine recommendations. Design and setting; Patients; Main outcome measures; Results; Conclusion that young children, elderly persons, and black persons of all ages are disproportionately affected by invasive pneumococcal disease; Current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations.

Evaluates the impact of prevention efforts against human listeriosis in the United States. Food-borne transmission as a major cause human listeriosis; Identification of cases in which Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from cultures or ordinarily sterile sites in an aggregate population of more than 19 million; Cases of perinatal and nonperinatal listeriosis.

Presents information on the outbreak of Meningococcal disease in the United States. Identifies the different disease stricken areas by reviewing related data from January 1980 to June 1993 and comprehend its trend; Effectiveness of the methods of prevention.

Presents strategies for prevention of neonatal group B streptococcal (GBS) disease. Screening for GBS carriage and selective intrapartum antibiotics; Epidemiologic risk factors; Maternal GBS vaccination; Cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit and sensitivity analyses; Impact on the population.

Presents a study that used population-based surveillance in New Jersey in 1986 to quantify the risk of invasive pneumococcal disease in persons with AIDS and in those who went to develop AIDS. Estimated size of the immunosuppressed HIV-infected population; Rates of pneumococcal disease; Number of patients expected to contract pneumococcal disease in areas with a high incidence of AIDS.

Presents a study in which researchers evaluated the epidemiologic features and risk factors for multiple cases of meningococcal disease in schools in the United States. Study design; Setting; Main outcome measures; Results, including the identification of 22 clusters of meningococcal disease; Benefits of rapid initiation of a chemoprophylaxis program; Vaccination in prevention; Other conclusions.

Presents information on a study which examined the incidence and clinical spectrum of group B streptococcus infection in adults. Materials and methods; Case-fatality rate; Characterization of groups at increased risk for infection.

The authors comment on the opioid overdose epidemic in the U.S. and discuss proven strategies to manage chronic pain effectively without opioids to avoid overdoses and addiction. They discuss how reforming prescribing practices can help address the epidemic and improve conditions in communities through a coordinated public health initiative.

In the article, the authors discuss the efforts to improve public health in the U.S. as of early 2017, particularly the implementation by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of its "Winnable Battles" program that focuses on six areas. Also cited are the focus areas like infectious diseases, injury, and chronic disease prevention, as well as such strategies as policy development, media engagement, and creation of guidelines or practice standards.

The authors offers updates on the Zika virus from January 2016 to July 2016. Topics covered include advisory issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention against women traveling to areas with Zika virus in January 2016, the association between Zika infection and serious birth defects, and the use of insect repellent registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.