Synopsis for September 9, 2005

The MMWR is embargoed until Thursday, 12 PM EDT.

1. Trends in Cholesterol Screening and Awareness of High Blood Cholesterol ― United States, 1991-2003The Role of Public Health in Mental Health Promotion
2. Unintentional Deaths from Drug Poisoning by Urbanization of Area ― New Mexico, 1994-2003
3. Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication ― Nigeria, January 2004-July 2005
4. Hurricane Katrina Response and Guidance for Health-Care Providers, Relief Workers, and Shelter Operators
5. Update: West Nile Virus Activity ― United States, 2005

Trends in Cholesterol Screening and Awareness of High Blood Cholesterol ― United States, 1991-2003

While the proportion of persons screened for high blood cholesterol (HBC) has increased from 1991 to 2003, so has the percentage of those aware of having HBC. With September as National Cholesterol Education Month, it is important to increase awareness of monitoring cholesterol levels and taking steps to achieve or maintain healthy levels through diet, exercise, and/or drug treatment. Specifically, one of the Healthy People 2010 Objectives is to increase to 80 percent the proportion of adults aged greater than 20 years who are screened, as well as reduce the percentage of adults with total blood cholesterol levels greater than 240 mg/dL.

High blood cholesterol (HBC) is one of the major risk factors for heart disease, the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. The percentage of persons who have been screened for HBC within the previous 5 years increased from 68 percent to 73 percent between 1991 and 2003. In addition, among those screened the prevalence of HBC awareness increased from 25 percent in 1991 to 31 percent in 2003. One approach to reducing blood cholesterol levels is by increasing public awareness and reinforcing educational messages about HBC as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It is important that cholesterol levels be monitored, so that if found to be high, lifestyle changes can be made in diet and physical activity, and/or with drug treatment.

Unintentional Deaths from Drug Poisoning by Urbanization of Area ― New Mexico, 1994-2003

The types of drugs causing poisoning deaths differed by urbanization level in New Mexico, regardless of decedent and regional characteristics, a finding that should be investigated in other locales.

In New Mexico, the poisoning death rate from opioid painkillers other than methadone was highest in nonstatistical (rural) areas from 1994-2003, and accounted for 38percent of all drug poisoning deaths in those areas. Eliminating the effects of decedent demographics and state regional characteristics, deaths from illicit drug poisoning were most likely in metropolitan (large urban) areas, and deaths from prescription drug poisoning were most common in micropolitan (small urban) and nonstatistical areas. Public health agencies can examine drug-poisoning deaths by level of urbanization to help develop targeted prevention and intervention programs and distribute services accordingly.

Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication ― Nigeria, January 2004-July 2005

Nigerian authorities and partners have taken appropriate steps to reverse the resurgence of polio of 2003-2004 and focus resources on the highest risk states so that poliovirus circulation will be interrupted in 2006.

A dramatic increase in poliovirus transmission occurred in Nigeria in 2003-2004 when some northern states suspended mass vaccination campaigns, citing unfounded safety concerns. This led to the transmission of wild poliovirus into 18 nations where polio had not been reported for at least one year (including three outside Africa). With multiple supplementary immunization campaigns now targeting children in every state since that time, the current situation shows the roll-back from 30 infected states in 2004 to 19 to date in 2005, and with 377 cases confirmed this year compared to 574 at this same time in 2004. Most of the transmission in 2005 has occurred in just four states. Campaigns are now being carefully monitored and supervised in the high-risk areas of the 13 endemic states (i.e., those that have continually had poliovirus transmission). Additionally, special teams are providing outreach immunization to nomadic and hard-to-reach communities missed in earlier campaigns.

Hurricane Katrina Response and Guidance for Health-Care Providers, Relief Workers, and Shelter Operators

No Summary Available.

Update: West Nile Virus Activity ― United States, 2005

No Summary Available.

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