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Issue 46, November 19, 2012

Vol. 4, Issue: 46, 11/19/12

The report consists of four components:

  • Top Ten Articles of the Week
  • CDC-authored publications
  • Key scientific articles in featured topic areas (this week featuring Maternal and Child Health - Autistic Disorders)
  • Public health articles noted in the media

Before launching into this week's featured articles. Science Clips pauses to offer thanks to our staff and contributing subject matter experts. We begin with a topic that echoes more recent natural disasters; E Choudhary et al report on needs assessment made using the CASPER methodology following the 2009 tsunami in American Samoa. Public response to the 2009 influenza A H1N1 pandemic, a potential infectious disease disaster, is described by GK SteelFisher and colleagues using poll results from five countries. Preparations for holiday travel should not ignore disease prevention considerations; RC Laroque and collaborators find evidence of many missed opportunities for vaccination among travelers visiting friends and relatives abroad. Foreign-born persons may also have higher risks for tuberculosis; analysis of surveillance data from domestic and global systems, led by AB Taylor, finds that the U.S. national surveillance system may be the best source of data on TB drug resistance among foreign-born individuals.

Healthcare settings can be a focus for prevention but can also harbor public health risk factors. An analysis from the National Healthcare Safety network authored by SN Hocevar et al finds that neonates who weighed 750 g or less had the highest incidence of device-associated infections (DAI), and that overall DAI infection rates did not differ by type of hospital. Further on in the lifespan, use of prescription opiates more often than prescribed, or obtained through non-prescription sources, were found to be risk factors for opioid-related death by WA Lanier and co-authors. Preventive and treatment interventions delivered in healthcare settings can have individual and societal benefits; data from five states compiled by SE Powell and colleagues may show early impact of human papillomavirus vaccination in decreasing vaccine-type precancerous cervical lesions. Costs of HIV treatment on a per-patient basis decline as sites become more experienced and treat more patients, according to NA Menzies and collaborators, who looked at data from more than 50 clinic sites in six countries.

The ability to take action to improve health can occur in the home, as well as where healthcare is delivered. Information from the PRAMS system published in CDC's own Preventing Chronic Disease journal by an FA Gibbs-led group shows that the prevalence of smoke-free home rules approaches 95%, with generally increasing trends. From the National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief, we have an analysis of calories consumed from alcoholic beverages, which may be an underappreciated contributor to excess caloric intake.

John Iskander

Editor, Science Clips


  1. Top Ten Articles of the Week


    Selected weekly by a senior CDC scientist from the standard sections listed below.
  2. CDC Authored Publications


    The names of CDC authors are indicated in bold text.
    Articles published in the past 6-8 weeks authored by CDC or ATSDR staff.
  3. Key Scientific Articles in Featured Topic Areas


    Subject matter experts decide what topic to feature, and articles are selected from the last 3 to 6 months of published literature. Key topic coincides monthly with other CDC products (e.g. Vital Signs).
  4. Public Health Articles Noted in the Media


    Articles about important public health topics that have been mentioned in the press.

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CDC Science Clips Production Staff:

  • John Iskander, MD MPH, Editor
  • Rebecca Satterthwaite, MS, Librarian
  • Gail Bang, MLIS, Librarian
  • Deidre Thomas, MLS, Librarian
  • Kathleen Connick, MSLS, Librarian
  • Joseph Dunlap, Web Developer

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DISCLAIMER: Articles listed in the CDC Science Clips are selected by the Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library to provide current awareness of the public health literature. An article's inclusion does not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nor does it imply endorsement of the article's methods or findings. CDC and DHHS assume no responsibility for the factual accuracy of the items presented. The selection, omission, or content of items does not imply any endorsement or other position taken by CDC or DHHS. Opinion, findings and conclusions expressed by the original authors of items included in the Clips, or persons quoted therein, are strictly their own and are in no way meant to represent the opinion or views of CDC or DHHS. References to publications, news sources, and non-CDC Websites are provided solely for informational purposes and do not imply endorsement by CDC or DHHS.

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