Synopsis for May 18, 2006

The MMWR is embargoed until Thursday, 12 PM EST.

1. Place of Death After Stroke – United States, 1999-2002

2. Physical Dating Violence among High School Students – United States, 2003

Place of Death after Stroke – United States, 1999-2002

Nearly half of all stroke deaths occur outside of the hospital. Overall national and state patterns in pre-transport stroke deaths have not changed since 1999.

With May as National Stroke Awareness Month, it is important to increase the awareness of the high proportion of stroke deaths that occur outside of the hospital as well as emphasize stroke warning signs and symptoms. The warning signs of stroke are 1) sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body; 2) sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding; 3) sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; 4) sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination; and 5) sudden, severe headache with no known cause. The early recognition of stroke warning signs should be followed by immediate emergency transportation of the stroke patient to the hospital. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Nearly half of all stroke deaths occur before the stroke patient reaches the hospital. Stroke deaths outside of the hospital occur more frequently among women then men, whites than other racial groups, non-Hispanics than Hispanics, and in nursing homes rather than at home or another place. Successful stroke intervention is dependent upon early recognition of stroke warning signs and symptoms, prompt emergency transport, and rapid in-hospital treatment. The best way to prevent a stroke is to control stroke risk factors such as diabetes, physical inactivity, tobacco use, high cholesterol and blood pressure, and atrial fibrillation

Physical Dating Violence among High School Students – United States, 2003

The results from this study show dating violence is not only about physical injury, but is intertwined in the health of adolescents.

Results support the need for effective dating violence prevention efforts, at an early age, before unhealthy relationship dynamics are established. Such efforts can reduce the number of immediate injuries and improve the overall health and well-being of adolescents. Adolescents who report being hit, slapped, or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend in the past year are more likely to report binge drinking, suicide attempts, physical fighting and current sexual activity, said a study published today in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). Results show one in 11 high school students reported physical dating violence victimization in the past 12 months, equating to nearly 1.5 million high school students a year. The study examined data from CDC’s 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) to study the link between physical dating violence and selected behaviors that can place adolescents’ health and well-being at risk. Findings from this study and others have led to the development of a new CDC initiative, Choose Respect, to help parents and teens learn health relationship behaviors and prevent dating abuse.

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This page last reviewed May 18, 2006
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