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Objectives. We described risk factors associated with infectious tuberculosis (TB) and missed TB-prevention opportunities in foreign-born US residents, who account for almost two thirds of the nation's TB patients. Methods. In a cross-sectional study at 20 US sites of foreign-born persons diagnosed with TB in 2005 through 2006, we collected results of sputum smear microscopy for acid-fast bacilli (a marker for infectiousness) and data on visa status, sociodemographics, TB-related care seeking, and latent TB infection (LTBI) diagnosis opportunities. Results. Among 980 persons with pulmonary TB who reported their visa status, 601 (61%) were legal permanent residents, 131 (13.4%) had temporary visas, and 248 (25.3%) were undocumented. Undocumented persons were more likely than permanent residents to have acid-fast bacilli-positive smears at diagnosis (risk ratio = 1.3; 95% confidence interval = 1.2, 1.4). Of those diagnosed 1 year or more after arrival, 57.3% reported LTBI screening opportunities; fewer than 25% actually were. Undocumented persons reported fewer LTBI screening opportunities and were less likely to be tested. Conclusions. Progress toward TB elimination in the United States depends upon expanding opportunities for regular medical care and promotion of LTBI screening and treatment among foreign-born persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a report on the strategies to reduce the prevalence of leading risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in the U.S. in 2011. Released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the report identified hypertension, high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and smoking as among the risk factors. It compared the cases of CVDs in terms of sex, age group and ethnicity.

The article presents information about the surveillance of diabetes in New York City. New York City Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden described diabetes as the only health problem and stressed to gain a view of the problem to provide improvements in care and public savings. The New York City health department put forward a proposal for electronic laboratory-based reporting of hemoglobin AIC tests for all city residents. The health officials of the city health department consulted with organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Diabetes Association, major New York City hospitals, clinicians, and patients with diabetes to develop its surveillance scheme, but the country, state and national medical associations were not consulted. The surveillance proposal was objected by citizens of the city. These objections were based on privacy and autonomy concerns.

The article presents the author's views regarding the proposal of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) screening be routinely offered in all health care settings. According to him, these actions signal the end of the exceptionalism that has distinguished public health policy with regard to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) from approaches to other communicable and sexually transmitted diseases.

The article discusses what the authors refer to as innovative legal and policy responses to an opioid abuse crisis in America as of 2019, and it mentions morbidity from opioid use disorders (OUDs) and a potential decline in U.S. mortality rates since 2017. Interventions designed to reverse opioid-related overdoses and deaths are examined, along with supervised injections facilities (SIFs) for drug abusers, drug prescription limitations, and restricting minors' access to opioids.

The article reports on the Million Hearts program that was launched by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in September 2011. The public-private partnership scheme aims to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. The initiative is co-led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The article offers information on the Million Hearts Initiative, a project launched by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in September 2011 for preventing heart attacks and strokes cases. It mentions that heart attacks and strokes are among the leading causes of death in the U.S. and this project aims at reducing death due to cardiovascular disease. It further mentions that it is also supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). It also mentions that project has plans to work by implementing effective health technology, modification in healthcare coverage and by implying strategies to improve performances of healthcare professional.