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The article reports on the prevalence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in adult hospitalizations in the U.S. from 2007-2009. A new program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services called Partnership for Patients: Better Care, Lower Costs, aims to reduce the number of preventable VTE case in hospitals. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) analyzed data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) regarding VTE. The analysis determined an average of 547,596 VTE hospitalizations.

Objectives. We sought to determine whether Hispanic-White HIV testing disparities exist and to identify characteristics associated with newly diagnosed HIV among Hispanics. Methods. We used 2007 HIV Counseling and Testing System data to compare test-level records of Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites, and we conducted a multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify characteristics associated with newly diagnosed HIV. Results. Relative to Whites, Hispanics were more likely to have had a positive HIV test result (1.2% versus 0.8%), to have newly diagnosed HIV (0.8% versus 0.6%), and to have test results returned and receive posttest counseling more than 2 weeks after testing (24.3% versus 21.5%). Newly diagnosed HIV among Hispanics was most strongly associated with being a man who has sex with men (MSM; adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.8; 95% confidence interval [Cl] = 6.1, 7.6), being both an MSM and an injection drug user (AOR = 3.7; 95% Cl = 2.6, 5.3), and being aged 40 to 49 years (AOR = 6.4; 95% Cl = 4.9, 8.2). Conclusions. Hispanic-White disparities exist with respect to rates of positive HIV test results and late return of results. HIV prevention strategies such as rapid testing should focus on Hispanic MSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. This study was done to assess progress in hepatitis B vaccination of children from 1994 through 1997. Methods. We used data from the National Immunization Survey (NIS), a random-digit-dialed telephone survey that includes a mail survey to verify vaccination providers' records. The NIS is conducted in 78 geographic areas (50 states and 28 selected urban areas) in the United States. Results. A total of 32 433 household interviews were completed in the 1997 NIS. An estimated 83.7% of children aged 19 to 35 months received 3 or more doses of hepatitis B vaccine. Coverage with 3 doses was greater (86.7%) among children in states that had day care entry requirements for hepatitis B vaccination than among children in states without such requirements (83.0%) and was greater among children from families with incomes at or above the poverty level (85.0%) than among children below the poverty level (80.6%). Hepatitis B vaccination of children increased from 1994 through 1996, from 41% to 84%, but coverage reached a constant level of 84% to 85% in 1996/97. Conclusion. Although substantial progress has been made in fully vaccinating children against hepatitis B, greater efforts are needed to ensure that all infants receive 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine. (Am J Public Health. 1999;89: 1684-1689) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates leisure-time physical activities among older adults in the United States. Percentage prevalence of regular physical activity; Factors influencing physical activity; Walking and gardening as common activities; Role of physician in promotion of physical activity.

The article presents an analysis of the National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) during the period of 2007-2009 as done by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The results of the analysis show that an estimated average of 547,596 hospitalizations with venous thromboembolism (VTE) occurred each year among those aged more than 18 years in the U.S. It also showed that deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was diagnosed in an estimated annual average of 348,558 hospitalizations. The analysis underscores the need to promote evidence-based prevention strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality of VTE in hospitalized patients.

To evaluate the economic impact of the current 2-dose measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination program in the United States, a decision tree-based analysis was conducted with population-based vaccination coverage and disease incidence data. All costs were estimated for a hypothetical US birth cohort of 3,803,295 infants born in 2001. The 2-dose MMR vaccination program was cost-saving from both the direct cost and societal perspectives compared with the absence of MMR vaccination, with net savings (net present value) from the direct cost and societal perspectives of $3.5 billion and $7.6 billion, respectively. The direct and societal benefit- cost ratios for the MMR vaccination program were 14.2 and 26.0. Analysis of the incremental benefit-cost of the second dose showed that direct and societal benefit-cost ratios were 0.31 and 0.49, respectively. Varying the proportion of vaccines purchased and administered in the public versus the private sector had little effect on the results. From both perspectives under even the most conservative assumptions, the national 2-dose MMR vaccination program is highly cost-beneficial and results in substantial cost savings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]