Urban and Rural Mpox Incidence Among Persons Aged 15-64 Years - United States, May 10-December 31, 2022.

During May 10-December 31, 2022, a total of 29,980 confirmed and probable† U.S. monkeypox (mpox) cases were reported to CDC, predominantly in cisgender adult men reporting recent same-gender sexual partners (1). Urban-rural differences in health (2) and diagnosis of HIV (3,4) and other sexually transmitted infections (5) are well documented nationally. This report describes urban-rural differences in mpox incidence (cases per 100,000 population) among persons aged 15-64 years, by gender and race and ethnicity. Urbanicity was assessed using the 2013 National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties (2). Substantial differences in incidence by urbanicity, gender, and race and ethnicity were observed; most (71.0%) cases occurred in persons residing in large central urban areas. Among the cases in large central urban areas, most (95.7%) were in cisgender men. The overall incidence of mpox in the United States was 13.5 per 100,000 persons aged 15-64 years and peaked in August in both urban and rural areas. Among cisgender men, incidence in rural areas was approximately 4% that in large central urban areas (risk ratio [RR] = 0.04). Among cisgender women, incidence in rural areas was approximately 11% that in large central urban areas (RR = 0.11). In both urban and rural areas, incidence among non-Hispanic Black or African American (Black) and Hispanic or Latino (Hispanic) persons was consistently higher than that among non-Hispanic White (White) persons; RRs between Black and White persons were highest in rural areas. Support and maintenance of mpox surveillance and prevention efforts including vaccinations should focus on urban areas with the highest incidence of mpox during the 2022 outbreak; however, surveillance and prevention efforts should include all genders, persons of color, and persons residing in both urban and rural areas who are at increased risk for mpox.

Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination Among Male Veterans and Nonveterans, 2016-2018.

OBJECTIVES: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends persons aged ≥6 months receive an influenza vaccination annually, and certain adults aged ≥19 years receive the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine alone or in series with the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, depending on age, chronic conditions, and smoking status. This study examines the prevalence of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination relative to Healthy People 2020 goals to understand how vaccination receipt differs by veteran status and sociodemographic subgroups. METHODS: We analyzed pooled data from the 2016-2018 National Health Interview Survey (N = 35 094) in 2021 to estimate the prevalence of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination for men aged 25-64 years and for men aged ≥65 years by veteran status and selected sociodemographic subgroups. We used 2-tailed t tests with an α = .05 to identify significant differences. RESULTS: Among men, 44.7% of veterans and 33.5% of nonveterans aged 25-64 years and 71.0% of veterans and 64.9% of nonveterans aged ≥65 years received an influenza vaccine in the past year. Among men aged 25-64 years at high risk for pneumococcal disease, 35.9% of veterans and 20.8% of nonveterans had ever received ≥1 dose of any pneumococcal vaccination. Disparities in the prevalence of vaccination within examined sociodemographic characteristics were often smaller in magnitude among veterans than among nonveterans for both vaccinations. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccination rates were below Healthy People 2020 targets for both groups, except influenza vaccination among veterans aged ≥65 years. Understanding differences in vaccine uptake may inform efforts to improve vaccination rates by identifying subgroups who are at high risk of disease and have low vaccination rates.

Prescription Opioid Use Among Adults With Chronic Pain: United States, 2019.

Objective-This report presents prevalence estimates of prescription opioid use among U.S. adults with chronic pain.

Multiple Chronic Conditions Among Veterans and Nonveterans: United States, 2015-2018.

Objectives-This report describes the prevalence of multiple (two or more) chronic conditions (MCC) among veterans and nonveterans and examines whether differences by veteran status may be explained by differences in sociodemographic composition, smoking behavior, and weight status based on body mass index. Methods-Data from the 2015-2018 National Health Interview Survey were used to estimate the prevalence of MCC among adults aged 25 and over by veteran status and sex. Estimates (age-stratified and age-adjusted) were also presented by race and Hispanic origin, educational attainment, poverty status, smoking status, and weight status. Multivariate logistic regression models examined the odds of MCC by veteran status after age stratification (65 and over or under 65) and further adjustment for age and other covariates. Results-Among adults aged 25 and over, age-adjusted prevalence of MCC was higher among veterans compared with nonveterans for both men and women (22.2% compared with 17.0% for men aged 25-64, 66.9% compared with 61.9% for men aged 65 and over, 25.4% compared with 19.6% among women aged 25-64, and 74.1% compared with 61.8% among women aged 65 and over). Following stratification by age and adjustment for selected sociodemographic characteristics, the prevalence of MCC remained higher among veterans compared with nonveterans for both men and women. After further adjustment for smoking status and weight status, differences in the prevalence of MCC by veteran status were reduced but remained statistically significant, with the exception of men aged 65 and over.

Assessing Linkage Eligibility Bias in the National Health Interview Survey.

Background Linking health survey data to administrative records expands the analytic utility of survey participant responses, but also creates the potential for new sources of bias when not all participants are eligible for linkage. Residual differences-bias-can occur between estimates made using the full survey sample and the subset eligible for linkage. Objective To assess linkage eligibility bias and provide examples of how bias may be reduced by changes in questionnaire design and adjustment of survey weights for linkage eligibility. Methods Linkage eligibility bias was estimated for various sociodemographic groups and health-related variables for the 2000-2013 National Health Interview Surveys. Conclusions Analysts using the linked data should consider the potential for linkage eligibility bias when planning their analyses and use approaches to reduce bias, such as survey weight adjustments, when appropriate.

Chronic Pain and High-impact Chronic Pain Among U.S. Adults, 2019.

Chronic pain (1) and chronic pain that frequently limits life or work activities, referred to in this report as high-impact chronic pain (2), are among the most common reasons adults seek medical care (3) and are associated with decreased quality of life, opioid dependence, and poor mental health (1,4,5). This report examines chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain in the past 3 months among U.S. adults aged 18 and over by selected demographic characteristics and urbanization level.

Hearing Difficulty, Vision Trouble, and Balance Problems Among Male Veterans and Nonveterans.

Objective-This report describes hearing difficulty, vision trouble, dual sensory impairment (hearing and vision loss), and balance problems among male veterans and nonveterans. Methods-Sample adult data from the 2016 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were used to assess degree of hearing difficulty, vision trouble, and dual sensory impairment in men aged 18 and over by veteran status. Data from the 2016 NHIS Sample Adult Balance Supplement were also used to create estimates of balance or dizziness problems for men by veteran status. Results-Male veterans were significantly less likely to have excellent or good hearing than nonveterans (72.9% compared with 84.1%), and significantly more likely to have a little or moderate trouble hearing (23.2% compared with 13.6%), as well as more likely to have a lot of hearing difficulty or to be deaf (3.9% compared with 2.4%). Male veterans were also more likely to have dual sensory impairment and balance problems than nonveterans (5.0% compared with 2.5% and 24.3% compared with 18.7%, respectively). When data were stratified by age, male veterans aged 18-44 were over three times more likely to have a little or moderate trouble hearing compared with nonveteran men in the same age group (18.0% compared with 5.3%). Male veterans in age groups 45-64 and 65-74 were also more likely to have a little or moderate trouble hearing compared with nonveteran men in the same age groups. When the data were stratified by age, male veterans and nonveterans had similar percentages of dual sensory impairment. Lastly, male veterans in age groups 45-64 and 65-74 were more likely to have balance problems than nonveteran men in the same age groups.

Reported Importance and Access to Health Care Providers Who Understand or Share Cultural Characteristics With Their Patients Among Adults, by Race and Ethnicity.

Objective-This report examines racial and ethnic differences in the reported importance and frequency of seeing culturally competent health care providers among U.S. adults. Methods-Using the 2017 National Health Interview Survey, estimates of the importance and frequency of seeing health care providers who shared or understood respondents' culture were examined by race and Hispanic ethnicity, and stratified by other demographic characteristics. Results-Among adults who had seen a health care professional in the past 12 months, the percentage of non-Hispanic white adults who thought it was very important to have a health care provider who shared or understood their culture was significantly lower than that among all other race and Hispanic-ethnicity groups. Among those who thought it was at least slightly important to have a health care provider who shared or understood their culture, minority groups were generally more likely to report never being able to see a culturally similar health care provider compared with non-Hispanic white adults, and this pattern persisted regardless of sex, age group, or urbanicity.

Surveying Strategies for Hard-to-Survey Populations: Lessons From the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander National Health Interview Survey.

Calls for remedies for the persistent scarcity of accurate, reliable, national, disaggregated health statistics on hard-to-survey populations are common, but solutions are rare. Survey strategies used in community and clinical studies of hard-to-survey populations often cannot be, and generally are not, implemented at the national level.This essay presents a set of approaches, for use in combination with traditional survey methods in large-scale surveys of these populations, to overcome challenges in 2 domains: sampling and motivating respondents to participate. The first approach consists of using the American Community Survey as a frame, and the second consists of implementing a multifaceted community engagement effort.We offer lessons learned from implementing these strategies in a national survey, some of which are relevant to all survey planners. We then present evidence of the quality of the resulting data set. If these approaches were used more widely, hard-to-survey populations could become more visible and accurately represented to those responsible for setting national priorities for health research and services.

Trends in Health Insurance and Type Among Military Veterans: United States, 2000-2016.

OBJECTIVES: To describe long-term national trends in health insurance coverage among US veterans from 2000 to 2016 in the context of recent health care reform. METHODS: We used 2000 to 2016 National Health Interview Survey data on veterans aged 18 to 64 years to examine trends in insurance coverage and uninsurance by year, income, and state Medicaid expansion status. We also explored the current proportions of veterans with each type of insurance by age group. RESULTS: The percentage of veterans with private insurance decreased from 70.8% in 2000 to 56.9% in 2011, whereas between 2000 and 2016 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care coverage (only) almost tripled, Medicaid (without concurrent TRICARE or private coverage) doubled, and TRICARE coverage of any type tripled. After 2011, the percentage of veterans who were uninsured decreased. In 2016, low-income veterans in Medicaid expansion states had double the Medicaid coverage (41.1%) of low-income veterans in nonexpansion states (20.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Our estimates, which are nationally representative of noninstitutionalized veterans, show marked increases in military-related coverage through TRICARE and VA health care. In 2016, only 7.2% of veterans aged 18 to 64 years and 3.7% of all veterans (aged 18 years or older) remained uninsured.

Selected Health Conditions Among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Adults: United States, 2014.

KEY FINDINGS: Although the Asian or Pacific Islander federal race category was split into two in 1997 (1), few reliable health statistics are available for the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) population. In 2014, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) fielded a first-of-its-kind federal survey focused exclusively on NHPI population health. This report uses data from that survey, in combination with 2014 data from the annual National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), to highlight differences in the prevalence of selected health conditions between the NHPI population and the Asian population with whom they have historically been combined.

Sexual Identity, Stigma, and Depression: the Role of the "Anti-gay Propaganda Law" in Mental Health among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Moscow, Russia.

Depression is a major public health problem in the Russian Federation and is particularly of concern for men who have sex with men (MSM). MSM living in Moscow City were recruited via respondent-driven sampling and participated in a cross-sectional survey from October 2010 to April 2013. Multiple logistic regression models compared the relationship between sexual identity, recent stigma, and probable depression, defined as a score of ≥23 on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. We investigated the interactive effect of stigma and participation in the study after the passage of multiple "anti-gay propaganda laws" in Russian provinces, municipalities, and in neighboring Ukraine on depression among MSM. Among 1367 MSM, 36.7% (n = 505) qualified as probably depressed. Fifty-five percent identified as homosexual (n = 741) and 42.9% identified as bisexual (n = 578). Bisexual identity had a protective association against probable depression (reference: homosexual identity AOR 0.71; 95%CI 0.52-0.97; p < 0.01). Those who experienced recent stigma (last 12 months) were more likely to report probable depression (reference: no stigma; AOR 1.75; 95%CI 1.20-2.56; p < 0.01). The interaction between stigma and the propaganda laws was significant. Among participants with stigma, probable depression increased 1.67-fold after the passage of the anti-gay laws AOR 1.67; 95%CI 1.04-2.68; p < 0.01). Depressive symptoms are common among MSM in Russia and exacerbated by stigma and laws that deny homosexual identities. Repeal of Russia's federal anti-gay propaganda law is urgent but other social interventions may address depression and stigma in the current context.

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Receipt of Pressure Equalization Tubes Among US Children, 2014.

OBJECTIVE: Pressure equalization tube (PET) placement (also referred to as tympanostomy tube placement) is among the most common ambulatory surgical procedures performed on US children. More than 20 years ago, differences according to race/ethnicity in the national prevalence of having had PETs placed were documented. Whether these differences persist is unknown. METHODS: We used data from the 2014 National Health Interview Survey to examine the percentage of children 0 to 17 years of age who have ever undergone PET placement. Unadjusted logistic regression with predictive margins was used to assess the relationship between having received PETs and race/ethnicity, as well as other clinical, socioeconomic, and geographic factors. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine whether other factors could account for any observed differences according to race/ethnicity. RESULTS: Overall, 8.9% of children 0 to 17 years of age had undergone PET surgery. By race/ethnicity, 12.6% of non-Hispanic white children received PETs, which was significantly greater than the 4.8% of non-Hispanic black, 4.4% of Hispanic, and 5.6% of non-Hispanic other/multiple race children who had this surgery (P < .001 for all comparisons). In multivariable analysis, the adjusted prevalence for non-Hispanic white children (10.8%) was greater than for non-Hispanic black (5.4%) and Hispanic (5.8%) children (P < .001 for both comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 9% of US children have had PETs placed. Non-Hispanic white children still have a greater prevalence of PET placement compared with non-Hispanic black and Hispanic children. These differences could not be fully explained by other demographic, clinical, socioeconomic, or geographic differences between racial/ethnic groups.

Health Conditions and Behaviors of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Persons in the United States, 2014.

The body of nationally representative health statistics for the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) population is limited, because even the largest health surveys generally do not have an adequate NHPI sample to calculate reliable NHPI statistics. Using data from the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander National Health Interview Survey (NHPI NHIS) from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), this report fills this gap by presenting statistics on health conditions and behaviors for (a) the total NHPI population and the multiple- and singlerace NHPI populations, in comparison with other federal race groups and the total U.S. population; (b) single-race NHPI persons compared with multiple-race NHPI persons; and (c) detailed NHPI race groups in comparison with each other and the total U.S.

Health Care Access and Utilization Among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Persons in the United States, 2014.

The body of nationally representative health statistics for the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) population is limited, because even the largest health surveys generally do not have an adequate NHPI sample to calculate reliable NHPI statistics. Using data from the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander National Health Interview Survey (NHPI NHIS) from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), this report fills this gap by presenting statistics on health care access and utilization for (a) the total NHPI population and the multiple- and single-race NHPI populations in comparison with other federal race groups and the total U.S. population; (b) single-race NHPI persons compared with multiple-race NHPI persons; and (c) detailed NHPI race groups in comparison with each other and the total U.S.

Data Quality Assessment of the 2014 Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander National Health Interview Survey.

The 2014 Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander National Health Interview Survey (NHPI NHIS) is the first federal survey designed exclusively to measure the health of the noninstitutionalized civilian NHPI population of the United States.

Increased Survival Among HIV-Infected PWID Receiving a Multi-Level HIV Risk and Stigma Reduction Intervention: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: In Vietnam, where 58% of prevalent HIV cases are attributed to people who inject drugs, we evaluated whether a multi-level intervention could improve care outcomes and increase survival. METHODS: We enrolled 455 HIV-infected males who inject drugs from 32 communes in Thai Nguyen Province. Communes were randomized to a community stigma reduction intervention or standard of care and then within each commune, to an individual enhanced counseling intervention or standard of care, resulting into 4 arms: Arm 1 (standard of care); Arm 2 (community intervention alone); Arm 3 (individual intervention alone); and Arm 4 (community + individual interventions). Follow-up was conducted at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months to assess survival. RESULTS: Overall mortality was 23% (n = 103/455) more than 2 years. There were no losses to follow-up for the mortality endpoint. Survival at 24 months was different across arms: Arm 4 (87%) vs Arm 1 (82%) vs Arm 2 (68%) vs Arm 3 (73%); log-rank test for comparison among arms: P = 0.001. Among those with CD4 cell count <200 cells/mm and not on antiretroviral therapy at baseline (n = 162), survival at 24 months was higher in Arm 4 (84%) compared with other arms (Arm 1: 61%; Arm 2: 50%; Arm 3: 53%; P-value = 0.002). Overall, Arm 4 (community + individual interventions) had increased uptake of antiretroviral therapy compared with Arms 1, 2, and 3. CONCLUSIONS: This multi-level behavioral intervention seemed to increase survival of HIV-infected participants more than a 2-year period. Relative to the standard of care, the greatest intervention effect was among those with lower CD4 cell counts.

The Effect of a Multi-Level Intervention on the Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) among HIV-Infected Men Who Inject Drugs and Were Diagnosed Late in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: In Vietnam, an estimated 256,000 people are living with HIV, and 58% of HIV-infections reported are among people who inject drugs (PWID). While antiretroviral therapy (ART) is widely available in Vietnam, marginalized hard-to-reach male PWID, demonstrate significantly reduced and delayed access to ART. METHODS: We investigated the effect of a randomized four-arm multi-level intervention trial on ART initiation among male PWID. Our analysis was conducted among a subset of trial participants (n = 136), who were newly diagnosed as HIV-infected, treatment naïve, and eligible for ART (baseline late diagnosis). The trial arms included: 1, standard of care (HIV testing and counseling); 2, structural-level intervention (door-to-door communications and community video screenings); 3, individual-level intervention (counseling plus group support); and 4, individual-level plus structural-level intervention. In a time-to-event analysis, we used a non-parametric approach for competing risks to estimate cumulative incidence function (CIF) for ART initiation (event of interest) by arm and the difference in CIF for each trial arm as compared to Arm 1. Follow-up was conducted at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Data collection occurred from 2009 to 2013. FINDINGS: By 24-months, 61.0% initiated ART, and 30.9% had died prior to ART initiation. In the first 6 months, participants in arm 4 (individual plus community intervention) had a 28% (95% confidence interval (CI): 6-50%) increased probability of initiating ART. Despite increasing coverage of ART in all arms throughout follow-up, participants in arm 4 retained a 31% (95% CI: 5-56%) increased probability of initiating ART. The individual and community components of the intervention were only effective when delivered together. CONCLUSIONS: Marginalized, hard-to-reach men, who do not routinely engage in HIV services, and therefore come into care late, may benefit significantly from both individual counseling and group support, in combination with community-focused stigma reduction, when being referred and attempting to initiate urgently needed ART.

Comparison of Respondent Driven Sampling Estimators to Determine HIV Prevalence and Population Characteristics among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Moscow, Russia.

Analytically distinct estimators have been proposed for the calculation of population-based estimates derived from respondent-driven sampling (RDS), yet there have been few comparisons of the inferences from these estimators using empirical data. We compared estimates produced by unweighted analysis used to calculate sample proportions and by three available estimators that are used to calculate population proportions, RDS-I, RDS-II (Volz-Heckathorn), and Gile's RDS-SS. Data were derived from a cross-sectional, RDS study of men who have sex with men (MSM) conducted from October 2010 to April 2013 in Moscow, Russia (N = 1,376, recruitment depth: 31 waves). Analyses investigated the influence of key parameters: recruitment depth, homophily, and network size on sample and population estimates. Variability in results produced by the estimators and recruitment depth were statistically compared using the coefficient of variation (CV). Sample proportions had the least variability across different recruitment depths, compared to the RDS estimators. Population estimates tended to differ at lower recruitment depth but were approximately equal after reaching sampling equilibrium, highlighting the importance of sampling to greater recruitment depth. All estimators incorporate inverse probability weighting using self-reported network size, explaining the similarities in across population estimates and the difference of these estimates relative to sample proportions. Current biases and limitations associated with RDS estimators are discussed.

Self-reported Hearing Trouble in Adults Aged 18 and Over: United States, 2014.

Age is typically the most significant determinant of hearing loss (5,6). Among U.S. adults in 2014, self-reported hearing loss was most prevalent among adults aged 70 and over (43.2%), compared with adults aged 40-69 (19.0%) and aged 18-39 (5.5%). Age-related hearing loss is often overlooked due to its deceptively slow progression, lack of attention from providers, and public acceptance as a condition that is perceived to be a "normal" consequence of aging (7). Among U.S. adults aged 70 and over who had any trouble hearing, 56.8% had seen a doctor or other health care professional about their hearing or ear problems in the past 5 years, but only 42.0% had ever used a hearing aid. Younger adults (aged 18-39) who had any trouble hearing were even less likely to have seen a doctor or used a hearing aid, but they were more likely to have used other assistive technology because of their hearing compared with adults aged 40-69 or 70 and over. Among U.S. adults who had any trouble hearing without a hearing aid, 1.7% were deaf, but the majority (62.6%) had mild hearing loss (defined as "a little trouble hearing"). Men were more likely than women to have self-reported trouble hearing, a sex disparity that has been documented globally among all age groups (8). Men were also more likely than women to state they had moderate trouble hearing.