Viral Hepatitis Among Asian Adults in the United States, 2011–2014

November 19, 2015

Hepatitis A (HAV), B (HBV), and C (HCV) viruses are common types of viral hepatitis. HBV and HCV infection can lead to liver disease, cancer, and serious health consequences. HAV and HBV infections are high among Asian persons, especially those born outside the United States.

An NCHS report provides 2011–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) estimates on prevalence of antibody to HAV (from infection or immunization), past or current HBV infection, and current HCV infection, by race and Hispanic origin.

Key Findings:

  • Prevalence of antibody to HAV from infection or vaccination was higher among non-Hispanic Asian adults than non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black adults.
  • Prevalence of both past or current HBV infection as well as just current active HBV infection was higher among non-Hispanic Asian adults than non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic adults.
  • Prevalence of current HCV virus infection among non-Hispanic Asian adults was lower than the other race and Hispanic groups.
  • Prevalence of antibody to HAV from infection or vaccination was greater among non-Hispanic Asian adults born outside the United States than those who were U.S.-born. A similar pattern was seen for past or current HBV infection.

Leave a Comment » | NHANES | Permalink
Posted by briantsai

Hypertension Prevalence and Control Among Adults: United States, 2011–2014

November 17, 2015

Hypertension is a public health challenge in the United States because it directly increases the risk for cardiovascular disease.

An NCHS report presents updated estimates for the prevalence and control of hypertension in the United States for 2011–2014.

Key Findings:

  • Prevalence of hypertension among adults was 29.0% in 2011–2014 and increased with age: 18–39, 7.3%; 40–59, 32.2%; and 60 and over, 64.9%.
  • Hypertension prevalence was higher among non-Hispanic black (41.2%) than non-Hispanic white (28.0%), non-Hispanic Asian (24.9%), or Hispanic (25.9%) adults.
  • Prevalence of controlled hypertension was 53.0%, and adults aged 18–39 were less likely to have controlled hypertension than those aged 60 and over.
  • Overall, prevalence of controlled hypertension was higher among non-Hispanic white (55.7%) than non-Hispanic black (48.5%), non-Hispanic Asian (43.5%), or Hispanic (47.4%) adults.
  • From 1999 to 2014, hypertension prevalence was unchanged, but control of hypertension increased.

 

Leave a Comment » | Blood Pressure, Hypertension, NHANES | Permalink
Posted by briantsai

Prevalence of Obesity Among Adults and Youth: United States, 2011–2014

November 17, 2015

Obesity is associated with health risks. Monitoring the prevalence of obesity is relevant for public health programs that focus on reducing or preventing obesity.

No significant changes were seen in either adult or childhood obesity prevalence in the United States between 2003–2004 and 2011–2012.

An NCHS report provides the most recent national data on obesity prevalence by sex, age, and race and Hispanic origin, using data for 2011–2014. Overall prevalence estimates from 1999–2000 through 2013–2014 are also presented.

Key Findings:

  • In 2011–2014, the prevalence of obesity was just over 36% in adults and 17% in youth.
  • The prevalence of obesity was higher in women (38.3%) than in men (34.3%). Among all youth, no difference was seen by sex.
  • The prevalence of obesity was higher among middle-aged (40.2%) and older (37.0%) adults than younger (32.3%) adults.
  • The prevalence of obesity was higher among non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic adults and youth than among non-Hispanic Asian adults and youth.
  • From 1999 through 2014, obesity prevalence increased among adults and youth. However, among youth, prevalence did not change from 2003–2004 through 2013–2014.

 

Leave a Comment » | NHANES, Obesity | Permalink
Posted by briantsai

Current Contraceptive Use and Variation by Selected Characteristics Among Women Aged 15–44: United States, 2011–2013

November 10, 2015

A new NCHS report describes current contraceptive use among women of childbearing age (ages 15–44) during 2011–2013. Current contraceptive use is defined as use during the month of interview, not for a specific act of sexual intercourse.

This report’s primary focus is describing patterns of contraceptive use among women who are currently using contraception, by social and demographic characteristics. Data from 2002 and 2006–2010 are presented for comparison.

Key Findings from the Report:

  • Among women currently using contraception, the most commonly used methods were the pill (25.9%, or 9.7 million women), female sterilization (25.1%, or 9.4 million women), the male condom (15.3%, or 5.8 million women), and long-acting reversible contraception (LARC)—intrauterine devices or contraceptive implants (11.6%, or 4.4 million women).
  • Differences in method use were seen across social and demographic characteristics. Comparisons between time points reveal some differences, such as higher use of LARC in 2011–2013 compared with earlier time points.

Leave a Comment » | contraception, National Survey of Family Growth | Permalink
Posted by briantsai

Leading Causes of Death Contributing to Decrease in Life Expectancy Gap Between Black and White Populations: United States, 1999–2013

November 6, 2015

The trend in U.S. life expectancy since 1900 has been one of gradual improvement. Nevertheless, differences in life expectancy by race have persisted at least since official estimates were recorded.

In 1999, the difference in life expectancy between the white and black populations was 5.9 years. The gap decreased to 3.6 years in 2013.

A new NCHS report looks at black and white population differences in causes of death to determine how they contribute to the decrease in the gap in life expectancy from 1999 through 2013.

Key Findings from the Report:

  • The gap in life expectancy between the black and white populations decreased 2.3 years between 1999 and 2013 (5.9 to 3.6 years).
  • The decrease in the gap was due to larger decreases in death rates for the black population for heart disease, cancer, and HIV disease.
  • The gap in life expectancy between black and white males decreased 2.4 years between 1999 and 2013 (6.8 to 4.4 years).
  • The decrease in the gap was due to larger decreases in death rates for black males for HIV disease, cancer, and unintentional injuries.
  • The gap in life expectancy between black and white females decreased 2.2 years between 1999 and 2013 (5.2 to 3.0 years).
  • The decrease in the gap was due to larger decreases in death rates for black females for heart disease, HIV disease, and cancer.

 

Leave a Comment » | life expectancy, Vital Statistics System | Permalink
Posted by briantsai

Number of Uninsured in U.S. Continues to Decline

November 6, 2015

NCHS has released selected estimates of health insurance coverage for the civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. population based on data from the January–June 2015 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), along with comparable estimates from the 2010–2014 NHIS.

Key Findings:

  • In the first 6 months of 2015, 28.5 million persons of all ages (9%) were uninsured at the time of interview—7.5 million fewer persons than in 2014 and 16.3 million fewer than in 2013.
  • Among adults aged 18–64, the percentage uninsured decreased from 16.3% in 2014 to 12.7% in the first 6 months of 2015. There was a corresponding increase in private coverage, from 67.3% to 70.6%. In 2013, among adults aged 18–64, 20.4% were uninsured and 64.2% had private coverage.
  • Among children under age 18 years, the percentage with private coverage increased from 52.6% in 2013 to 56.0% in the first 6 months of 2015, reversing a 14-year trend of declining rates of private coverage.
  • Among those under age 65, the percentage with private coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace or state-based exchanges increased from 2.5% (6.7 million) in the fourth quarter of 2014 to 4.0% (10.7 million) in the second quarter

Leave a Comment » | health insurance, National Health Interview Survey, uninsured | Permalink
Posted by briantsai

Wellness-related Use of Common Complementary Health Approaches Among Adults: United States, 2012

November 4, 2015

A new report presents national estimates of selected wellness-related reasons for the use of natural product supplements, yoga, and spinal manipulation among U.S. adults in 2012. Self-reported perceived health outcomes were also examined.

Data was taken from 34,525 adults aged 18 and over collected as part of the 2012 National Health Interview Survey were analyzed for the report.

In particular, whether adults who used selected complementary health approaches did so to treat a specific health condition or for any of five wellness-related reasons was examined, as well as whether these adults perceived that this use led to any of nine health-related outcomes.

Key Findings from the Report:

  • Users of natural product supplements and yoga were more likely to have reported using the approach for a wellness reason than for treatment of a specific health condition, whereas more spinal manipulation users reported using it for treatment rather than for wellness.
  • The most common wellness-related reason reported by users of each of the three approaches was for ‘‘general wellness or disease prevention.’’
  • The majority of users of all three health approaches reported that they perceived this use improved their overall health and made them feel better.
  • Yoga users perceived higher rates of all of the self-reported wellness-related health outcomes than users of natural product supplements or spinal manipulation.

Leave a Comment » | alternative medicine, National Health Interview Survey | Permalink
Posted by briantsai