CDC’s Most Talked About Weekly Reports of 2018

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week put out a top 10 list, and the topics in it provide an important reminder of some of the most pressing health concerns facing the United States and the world today. The list was drawn from the 10 most talked about Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWR) from last year, and issues ranged from suicide rates in the United States to outbreaks association with treated recreational water.

The MMWR series is prepared by CDC and is often referred to as the agency’s voice. The MMWR series serves as a primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, accurate and useful public health information and recommendations. Readership of MMWR predominately consists of physicians, nurses, public health practitioners, epidemiologists and other scientists, researchers, educators and laboratorians. 

Importantly, many public health professionals around the country rely on this weekly report to inform their work, as the data in the MMWR is based on weekly reports to CDC by state health departments.

For last year, the “10 Most Talked About MMWR Reports of 2018” were:

1. Vital Signs: Trends in State Suicide Rates — United States, 1999–2016 and Circumstances Contributing to Suicide — 27 States, 2015
2. Interim Estimates of 2017–18 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness — United States, February 2018
3. Overdose Deaths Involving Opioids, Cocaine, and Psychostimulants — United States, 2015–2016
4. Outbreaks Associated with Treated Recreational Water — United States, 2000–2014
5. Vital Signs: Trends in Reported Vectorborne Disease Cases — United States and Territories, 2004–2016
6. Notes from the Field: Use of Electronic Cigarettes and Any Tobacco Product Among Middle and High School Students — United States, 2011–2018
7. Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2014
8. Drug and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths — United States, 2013–2017
9. Vaccination Coverage Among Children Aged 19–35 Months — United States, 2017
10. Multidrug-Resistant Campylobacter jejuni Outbreak Linked to Puppy Exposure — United States, 2016–2018

These topics cover a variety of important and relevant public health topics that were newsworthy and timely in 2018. Based on the start to 2019, it appears this year will have its share of informative and compelling reads as well.