CDC MMWR News Synopsis for December 2, 2016

MMWR- Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

MMWR News Synopsis for December 2, 2016 

Asthma Among Employed Adults, by Industry and Occupation — 21 States, 2013

The overall prevalence of workers with current asthma was 7.7% among 21 states; the prevalence of workers with current asthma by industry and occupation varied by state. A CDC study of asthma among workers shows the first state-specific estimates of asthma by industry and occupation. Using data from the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC researchers estimated the industry- and occupation-specific prevalence of current asthma among working adults in 21 states and found that, overall, 7.7% currently had asthma. By state, however, the prevalence of current asthma varied by industry and occupation and was highest among workers in the information industry (18.0%) in Massachusetts and in healthcare support occupations (21.5%) in Michigan. The findings in this report can be used to identify industries and occupations with high current asthma prevalence and to suggest where workers can be assessed for new-onset or work-exacerbated asthma and benefit from work-related asthma prevention and education programs.

Progress with Scale-Up of HIV Viral Load Monitoring — Seven Sub-Saharan Africa Countries, January 2015–June 2016

As part of the PEPFAR strategy, CDC and other USG agencies have provided laboratory support that over the past year has helped to achieve significant gains in scaling-up viral load testing. However, continued support from the U.S. government and international partners is needed to achieve the goal of viral load monitoring in sub-Saharan Africa for all people living with HIV on antiretroviral treatment (ART). This MMWR report examines current progress with viral load monitoring of patients on ART in seven sub-Saharan countries (Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda) during January 2015 – June 2016. By June 2016, three countries (Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda) still did not have adequate equipment capacity to test all patients on ART at least once per year. During 2015 two countries tested >85% of patients on ART (Namibia, 91% and South Africa, 87%), while four countries tested < 25% of ART patients. During 2015, viral suppression was > 80% in all countries except Côte d’Ivoire. While significant gains have been achieved, capacity building, sustained country commitment, and a coordinated global effort are critical to reaching the goal for viral load monitoring of all people living with HIV on ART.

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