Search Media Items

Influenza (flu) is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs caused by the influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old, and children and adolescents with chronic health conditions are at greater risk for serious flu complications.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, but heart disease is preventable and controllable.

On February 3, this report was posted as an MMWR Early Release on the MMWR website (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr).

The journal Obesity has published a new study online: “Modeling the Potential Public Health Impact of Prepregnancy Obesity on Adverse Fetal and Infant Outcomes.” You can read the article’s abstract here. See below for a summary of the findings from this article.

A special issue of the American Journal of Medical Genetics Part C with a specific focus on teratology?or the study of birth defects and their causes?recently has been published online. Included in this special issue is a new CDC study: “Influencing Clinical Practice Regarding the Use of Antiepileptic Medications During Pregnancy: Modeling the Potential Impact on the Prevalences of Spina Bifida and Cleft Palate in the United States.” You can read the abstract here.

Table I   Summary of provisional cases of selected notifiable diseases, United States, cumulative, week ending February 1, 2014 (5th Week).

Carmen S. Arriola, DVM, PhD1,2, Lynnette Brammer, MPH2, Scott Epperson, MPH2, Lenee Blanton, MPH2, Krista Kniss, MPH2, Desiree Mustaquim, MPH2, Craig Steffens, MPH2, Rosaline Dhara, MPH2, Michelle Leon, MPH2, Alejandro Perez, MPH2, Sandra S. Chaves, MD2, Jackie Katz, PhD2, Teresa Wallis, MS2, Julie Villanueva, PhD2, Xiyan Xu, MD2, Anwar Isa Abd Elal2, Larisa Gubareva, PhD2, Nancy Cox, PhD2, Lyn Finelli, DrPH2, Joseph Bresee, MD2, Michael Jhung MD2 (Author affiliations at end of text).

Patrick Ayscue, DVM, PhD1,2, Erin Murray, PhD2, Timothy Uyeki, MD3, Jennifer Zipprich, PhD2, Kathleen Harriman, PhD2, Catheryn Salibay, MPH2, Monica Kang2, Annie Luu2, Rose Glenn-Finer2, James Watt, MD2, Carol Glaser, DVM, MD2, Janice Louie, MD2 (Author affiliations at end of text).

Catherine Motswere-Chirwa, PDM1, Andrew Voetsch, PhD1, Lydia Lu, MPH1, Victor Letsholathebe2, Phenyo Lekone, PhD1, Esther Machakaire, MD1, Keitumetse Legwaila1, Stembile Matambo1, Maruping Maruping1, Thatayotlhe Kolobe1, Chipo Petlo2, Refeletswe Lebelonyane, MD2, Mary Glenshaw, PhD1, Helen Dale, BVSc, MBChB1, Margarett Davis, MD1, Shenaaz El Halabi, MPH2, Andrew Pelletier, MD1 (Author affiliations at end of text).

Regular physical activity can help prevent chronic diseases, yet only half of US adults meet national physical activity guidelines. One barrier to physical activity is a lack of safe places to be active, such as bike paths and sidewalks. Complete Streets, streets designed to enable safe access for all users, can help provide safe places for activity.

CDC public health news, press releases, government public health news, medical and disease news, story ideas, photos.

Taking your faithful pooch or kitty on a flight? Make sure you’ve got your pet’s paperwork wherever you go—and bring it back with you, too. The United States expects the same documents regardless of whether your pet is a first-time traveler to the United States or is a returning from an international trip.

Dirk T. Haselow, MD, PhD1, Haytham Safi, MD1, David Holcomb, MS1, Nathaniel Smith, MD1, Kendall D. Wagner, MD2, Branson B.

CDC's Office on Smoking and Health offers information related to smoking and tobacco use.

Videos that highlight the dangers of tobacco use and secondhand smoke, as well as tools to help middle and high schoolers evaluate media messages.