Latest news with #BehavioralRiskFactorSurveillanceSystem
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cancer prevention report finds US smoking rates continue to fall but HPV vaccination rates stall
The United States has seen progress in reducing certain cancer risks, as overall smoking rates remain on a decline. But for other risk factors, such as those tied to cervical cancer, there is room for improvement, according to a new American Cancer Society report. The prevalence of people smoking fell from about 14% in 2019 to 11% in 2023, according to the report published Wednesday in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Cigarette smoking is known to significantly increase the risk of developing cancer. It's estimated to cause about 1 out of every 3 cancer deaths in the US. 'These latest findings are encouraging, mainly the reduction in smoking rates and screening for certain cancers, but it's clear urgent efforts are needed to address lagging cervical cancer prevention,' Dr. Priti Bandi, scientific director of cancer risk factors and screening surveillance research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the study, said in a news release. The prevalence of people being up-to-date on recommended cervical cancer screenings has dropped from 74.8% in 2019 to 73.4% in 2021 among ages 21 to 65, the report found, leaving more women at risk of not detecting disease early. The reported noted that the decrease is alarming as HPV vaccination rates have remained 'statistically unchanged' in recent years. In 2023, 61.4% of adolescents ages 13 to 17 were up-to-date for the HPV vaccination series, similar to 61.7% in 2021 and up from 54.2% in 2019. HPV or human papillomavirus is a group of more than 150 viruses that can cause certain types of cancer. Spread primarily through sexual contact, most cases of HPV clear on their own within two years, but when the infection does not go away, health problems like cancer may occur – which is why preventing these infections with vaccination has been key. The new report included data on US adults and their modifiable cancer risk factors in the years during and after the Covid-19 pandemic compared with the years prior to the pandemic. The data came from sources at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including the CDC's National Health Interview Survey, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the National Immunization Survey-Teen. It's estimated that nearly half – about 40% – of new cancer cases among US adults ages 30 and older could be attributed to preventable risk factors, such as cigarette smoking, excess body weight, an unhealthy diet, not exercising regularly, ultraviolet radiation exposure and cancer-causing infections like HPV. 'Despite historic reductions in smoking levels and improvements in breast and colorectal cancer screenings, including following the COVID-19 pandemic, obesity rates remain high and unchanged, physical activity levels remain suboptimal, and HPV vaccination levels have plateaued since 2021,' the American Cancer Society researchers wrote in the new report. They added that racial disparities in cancer rates and deaths persist as marginalized groups face barriers accessing healthcare. Staying up-to-date on cancer screenings can further prevent thousands of additional cancer cases and deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. A separate report released Monday found that the rate of people dying from cancer has stayed on a steady decline in the US from 2001 through 2022. But when it comes to the rate of people being diagnosed with cancer, the incidence rate among men fell from 2001 through 2013 and then stabilized through 2021, while incidence among women increased slightly every year between 2003 and 2021. Those trends were interrupted in 2020, when cancer incidence rates fell significantly, possibly because of disruptions in cancer screenings and medical care related to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer published in the journal Cancer. After 2020, they returned to expected levels. Sustained declines in lung cancer have been a major contributor to the overall improvements in cancer death rates in the US. Fewer people in the US are using tobacco, helping lower incidence and death rates for smoking-related cancers like lung, bladder and larynx, the report said. However, incidence rates are on the rise for several other cancers, including those linked with excess weight, such as pancreas and kidney cancers; uterine, breast and liver cancers among women; and colon and rectal cancers among adolescents and young adults. CNN's Katherine Dillinger contributed to this report.
CNN
23-04-2025
- Health
- CNN
Cancer prevention report finds US smoking rates continue to fall but HPV vaccination rates stall
The United States has seen progress in reducing certain cancer risks, as overall smoking rates remain on a decline. But for other risk factors, such as those tied to cervical cancer, there is room for improvement, according to a new American Cancer Society report. The prevalence of people smoking fell from about 14% in 2019 to 11% in 2023, according to the report published Wednesday in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Cigarette smoking is known to significantly increase the risk of developing cancer. It's estimated to cause about 1 out of every 3 cancer deaths in the US. 'These latest findings are encouraging, mainly the reduction in smoking rates and screening for certain cancers, but it's clear urgent efforts are needed to address lagging cervical cancer prevention,' Dr. Priti Bandi, scientific director of cancer risk factors and screening surveillance research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the study, said in a news release. The prevalence of people being up-to-date on recommended cervical cancer screenings has dropped from 74.8% in 2019 to 73.4% in 2021 among ages 21 to 65, the report found, leaving more women at risk of not detecting disease early. The reported noted that the decrease is alarming as HPV vaccination rates have remained 'statistically unchanged' in recent years. In 2023, 61.4% of adolescents ages 13 to 17 were up-to-date for the HPV vaccination series, similar to 61.7% in 2021 and up from 54.2% in 2019. HPV or human papillomavirus is a group of more than 150 viruses that can cause certain types of cancer. Spread primarily through sexual contact, most cases of HPV clear on their own within two years, but when the infection does not go away, health problems like cancer may occur – which is why preventing these infections with vaccination has been key. The new report included data on US adults and their modifiable cancer risk factors in the years during and after the Covid-19 pandemic compared with the years prior to the pandemic. The data came from sources at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including the CDC's National Health Interview Survey, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the National Immunization Survey-Teen. It's estimated that nearly half – about 40% – of new cancer cases among US adults ages 30 and older could be attributed to preventable risk factors, such as cigarette smoking, excess body weight, an unhealthy diet, not exercising regularly, ultraviolet radiation exposure and cancer-causing infections like HPV. 'Despite historic reductions in smoking levels and improvements in breast and colorectal cancer screenings, including following the COVID-19 pandemic, obesity rates remain high and unchanged, physical activity levels remain suboptimal, and HPV vaccination levels have plateaued since 2021,' the American Cancer Society researchers wrote in the new report. They added that racial disparities in cancer rates and deaths persist as marginalized groups face barriers accessing healthcare. Staying up-to-date on cancer screenings can further prevent thousands of additional cancer cases and deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. A separate report released Monday found that the rate of people dying from cancer has stayed on a steady decline in the US from 2001 through 2022. But when it comes to the rate of people being diagnosed with cancer, the incidence rate among men fell from 2001 through 2013 and then stabilized through 2021, while incidence among women increased slightly every year between 2003 and 2021. Those trends were interrupted in 2020, when cancer incidence rates fell significantly, possibly because of disruptions in cancer screenings and medical care related to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer published in the journal Cancer. After 2020, they returned to expected levels. Sustained declines in lung cancer have been a major contributor to the overall improvements in cancer death rates in the US. Fewer people in the US are using tobacco, helping lower incidence and death rates for smoking-related cancers like lung, bladder and larynx, the report said. However, incidence rates are on the rise for several other cancers, including those linked with excess weight, such as pancreas and kidney cancers; uterine, breast and liver cancers among women; and colon and rectal cancers among adolescents and young adults. CNN's Katherine Dillinger contributed to this report.
Forbes
14-04-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Cannabis Smoking Declines As Vaping And Edibles Surge, CDC Finds
While smoking is still the most common method of using cannabis, alternative methods like vaping and edibles are growing in popularity, according to a new survey by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC report published last week provides an overview of how adults in the U.S. consume cannabis based on the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), an annual telephone survey of health behaviors among adults in all 50 states, DC, and three territories. The survey included participants from 22 states and two territories. Today, medical cannabis is legal in 39 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia. Of these, 24 states also have legalized cannabis for recreational use. The report shows that, in 2022, smoking was still the most frequent method of cannabis use among adults who had used cannabis within the previous 30 days, with 79.4% of users choosing it, confirming smoking's traditional role as the dominant form of cannabis consumption. Other methods, however, have gained significant traction: 41.6% of users reported eating cannabis, 30.3% reported vaping, and 14.6% reported dabbing, which involves inhaling vaporized cannabis extracts. The CDC data from the 2016 survey in 12 states shows a clear shift in how adults in the U.S. are using cannabis. In 2016, smoking was the most used method, with 90.1% of users reporting it as their primary form of consumption, while only 58.3% used smoking exclusively. By 2022, smoking remained the most common method, but the percentage dropped to 79.4%. In 2022, however, other methods gained popularity: 41.6% of users consumed cannabis edibles (up from 24.5% in 2016), 30.3% vaped (a significant increase from 19.4%), and 14.6% dabbed (a new method not recorded in 2016). These trends represent a growing shift toward more diverse cannabis use as people increasingly combine methods. This change is most likely due to greater product availability, shifting preferences, and changes in cannabis regulations. New types of cannabis products, such as oils, gummies, and concentrates, may be driving this shift. Additionally, new technology, particularly in the vaping industry, may have played a role, offering a better experience than what was available in 2016. The rise in popularity of dabbing and vaping aligns with patterns among youth and young adults, where high-potency products are gaining traction. In particular, vaping and dabbing were most popular among young adults aged 18–24 years. Nearly 45% of them consumed cannabis by vaping, and 28.4% dabbed, showing the trend towards high-potency methods of use among youth. These methods of consumption are often associated with increased THC exposure and a higher risk of adverse effects such as acute psychosis, cannabis use disorder, or lung injury caused by toxins, an issue highlighted during the 2019 EVALI outbreak, according to the CDC report. 'This shift in routes of use among younger persons could lead to exposure to higher concentrations of THC at an age when brain development is still occurring, and thus increase the risk for cannabis use disorder, injuries, or acute psychosis,' the report reads. As nearly half (46.7%) of cannabis users report using two or more methods, such as smoking and eating or smoking and vaping, the report suggests that many are exploring different experiences or benefits. This shift reflects a broader trend towards more diverse user preferences, driven by factors like product availability, perceived health benefits, and social or cultural influences. However, the CDC warns that while 41.6% of cannabis users consume it in edible form, which doesn't affect the lungs, it comes with its own risks. Because the effects take longer to kick in, people often end up taking higher doses than intended. Edibles also pose a risk to children if they're left out, highlighting the need for secure packaging and better consumer awareness.
USA Today
29-03-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Could the Scandinavian sleep method save your relationship? Here's what experts say.
Hear this story Tossing and turning. Monopolizing the covers. Sharing a bed with your partner can be a challenge if you're both struggling to get a good night's sleep. If you're clashing over not getting enough rest, fear not, there may be a solution—the Scandinavian sleep method. The Scandinavian sleep method is simple: Couples sleep with two separate duvets, comforters or blankets, rather than sharing one large bed covering, says Seth Davis, certified adult sleep coach and founder of Sleepably. Here's why the Scandinavian sleep method might help dispel bedtime tension, and help you and your partner sleep more comfortably through the night. What is the Scandinavian sleep method? The Scandinavian sleep method offers the flexibility for couples to customize their own sleep experiences, even when they're sleeping in the same bed. 'Sleep is inherently an intimate process, something that even couples are likely to do slightly differently,' says Joseph M. Dzierzewski, the senior vice president of research and scientific affairs at the National Sleep Foundation. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. If you and your partner gravitate toward different bedding materials, or have disagreements over the weight of your duvet, you don't necessarily need to jump to sleep divorce (where couples sleep in two separate beds). With two duvets, you can maintain your individual sleep preferences while enjoying the benefits of sleeping next to each other, says Davis. Studies suggest sleeping next to your partner has an overall positive effect on your mental and physical health, according to the NSF. Physical touch during sleep has been associated with the release of oxytocin, a hormone that supports bonding, fosters trust and lowers stress levels, per WebMD. Couples who sleep next to each other might also experience synchronized heart rhythms and have more REM sleep. The truth about 'sleep divorce': These controversial married influencers sleep in separate beds What are the benefits of the Scandinavian sleep method? If you're on the fence about trying the Scandinavian sleep method, consider a few potential benefits. First up, body temperature regulation. 'As a sleep coach, I've worked with a lot of people who struggle to share a bed. Usually, temperature is one of the biggest issues,' Davis says. Temperature plays a critical role in helping you fall and stay asleep, studies show. When a couple has individual duvets, each bed partner can have better control over their body temperature. It's also possible the Scandinavian sleep method can help couples achieve less disturbed, fragmented sleep, says Davis. This rings true if you and your partner routinely find yourselves in a tug of war with your bedding at night. In 2020, 35% of adults reported not getting enough sleep (experts recommend at least seven hours a day), according to a survey conducted by the CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Insufficient sleep puts you at an elevated risk for a number of health conditions, including depression, anxiety, heart disease and obesity. If you suspect co-sleeping is contributing to poor sleep quality, having separate bedding could minimize sleep disruption and help you and your partner reach deeper levels of sleep, Davis says. Choosing your preferred bedding and personalizing your individual sleep experience can also help you unlock new levels of comfort. 'It's freeing, and it allows (couples) to focus on their own needs. That can often lead to breakthroughs and help them to sleep better,' adds Davis. In case you didn't read yet: Millennials are mocked for gentle parenting. But have they been right all along? How to try the Scandinavian sleep method To try this sleep method out, it might involve a little shopping. But it's as basic as finding two separate sets of bedding for you and your partner to sleep with at night. 'Each person can evaluate their own temperature preferences and material preferences, and find the coverings that they know will work best for them,' Davis says. Remember that changing up your sleep routine and bedroom environment isn't something you should test out just for a single night, adds Dzierzewski. You'll likely need to try a new routine for multiple nights, even a week or two, to notice any beneficial changes to your sleep quality. 'At the end of the day, we all want to get enough quality sleep so that we can flourish throughout the day,' he says.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
CDC layoffs strike deeply at its ability to respond to health emergencies
The CDC played an instrumental, if imperfect, role in the response to COVID-19. (JHDT Stock Images LLC/iStock via Getty Images) In just a few short weeks, the Trump administration has brought drastic changes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and public health. Beginning with the removal of websites and key public health datasets in January 2025, the Trump administration has taken actions to dismantle established public health infrastructure as part of its second-term agenda. In addition, the administration has begun a widespread purge of the federal public health workforce. As of Feb. 19, around 5,200 employees at the CDC and the National Institutes of Health had been let go. About 10% of the CDC's staff have been removed, with plans for additional firings. As a teaching professor and public health educator, I, like thousands of other health professionals, rely on CDC data and educational resources throughout my work. CDC websites are the first stop for health information for my students and for health care practitioners, and are vital to protecting the U.S. from infectious diseases, like avian flu and COVID-19, as well as noninfectious health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. Here's a quick look at what the CDC does to protect Americans' health, and how it's likely to be affected by the Trump administration's actions: Prior to the February cuts, the CDC employed over 10,000 full-time staff in roles spanning public health, epidemiology, medicine, communications, engineering and beyond to maintain this critical public health infrastructure. In addition to the centers' wide variety of functions to protect and promote public health in the U.S., a vast amount of research in the U.S. relies on CDC data. The CDC obtains data from all 50 states, territories and the District of Columbia, which is collated into widely utilized databases such as the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, National Health Interview Survey and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Several of these datasets and CDC websites were removed at the start of the second Trump term, and while they are currently back online due to a federal court order, it remains to be seen if these important sources of information will remain accessible and updated going forward. The CDC also publishes the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, which allows for ongoing and timely surveillance of key health conditions. The reports cover a wide range of topics, including wildfires, motor vehicle accidents, autism, asthma, opioids, mental health and many others. The CDC plays a central role in monitoring and reporting the spread of flu in winter months through its FluView, which informs clinical practice as well as public health interventions. Physicians are reporting that their ability to respond to the surges in respiratory viruses they are seeing has been hobbled by the missing data and by prohibitions on CDC staff communicating outside the agency. The CDC's famed 'disease detectives,' part of the Epidemic Intelligence Service, appear to have been spared following public outcry after more than half of its members were initially told they would be let go as part of the Feb. 14 mass layoffs. It remains to be seen if this group will remain intact long term. Concerns are growing that shakeups to the nation's infectious disease surveillance teams will hamper the government's ability to respond effectively at a time when avian flu and measles are growing concerns in the U.S. The CDC began as a small branch of the U.S. Public Health Service in 1946 as an outgrowth of successes fighting malaria in southern states during World War II and before. Its founder, Dr. Joseph W. Mountin, envisioned that it would come to serve all states, addressing all communicable diseases. Since that time, the CDC has evolved into the nation's premier public health organization, leveraging both clinical and population health sciences to prevent and mitigate challenges to the nation's health. In its first 40 years, the CDC helped eradicate smallpox and identify the causes of Legionnaires' disease, toxic shock syndrome and HIV. As the country's primary health challenges have shifted from communicable diseases to noncommunicable ones over recent decades, the organization has adapted, expanding its reach and priorities to meet changing public health needs. The CDC also has the ability to flex and scale up efforts rapidly when needed to respond to novel outbreaks, which is essential for containing infectious diseases and preventing escalation. Recognizing that health does not exist in a vacuum, the CDC also operates internationally to mitigate health challenges that could threaten health in the U.S. over time. The agency is active in addressing diseases that are endemic in certain areas, such as tuberculosis and HIV. It also responds to outbreaks from emerging threats, like Ebola and Marburg virus disease. The CDC played a crucial role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, coordinating with the World Health Organization, domestic health agencies and others to plan and execute a robust response. In 2024, the CDC worked with the WHO to respond to a Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda that lasted for several months. On average, about half of people infected with Marburg virus do not survive, so early detection and effective response are essential to prevent loss of life and contain outbreaks before they spread widely. On Jan. 20, 2025, the White House announced President Donald Trump's plans to withdraw from the WHO. This move further weakens the country's ability to manage and mitigate threats to Americans' health and national security. Not only does the WHO do essential work to protect children around the world from needless death due to starvation, but it monitors and responds to infectious diseases. The U.S. has been the largest contributor to the WHO, with approximately 12%-15% of its operating costs coming from the U.S. That means that removal of U.S. support will also affect the WHO's capacity to respond to international public health issues. As the COVID-19 pandemic made plain, a delayed response to infectious disease outbreaks can exponentially increase long-term costs and consequences. It remains to be seen what impact the established relationships between the CDC and the WHO will have on their ability to coordinate effectively during times of crisis. The reach, flexibility, adaptability and robust foundation of relationships developed over the past eight decades enable the CDC to respond to threats quickly, wherever in the world they arise. This is important for protecting health, and it plays a vital role in global and national security as well. In addition to its direct actions to promote public health, the CDC provides workforce development and training to help create an enduring public health infrastructure in the U.S. and abroad. This is more important than ever, as systemic factors have placed pressure on health professionals. The domestic public health workforce has shrunk drastically, losing 40,000 workers since the start of the Great Recession in 2009 due to economic constraints and social pressures during the pandemic. The CDC's workforce development efforts help counteract these trends. Public health workers were reporting high rates of burnout and stress even before the COVID-19 pandemic, which the pandemic worsened. Cuts to the federal workforce, as well as funding for public health programs, will no doubt add to these strains. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
