Federal Housing Assistance and Chronic Disease Among US Adults, 2005-2018.

Introduction: Housing insecurity is associated with poor health outcomes. Characterization of chronic disease outcomes among adults with and without housing assistance would enable housing programs to better understand their population's health care needs. Methods: We used National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2005 through 2018 linked to US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administrative records to estimate the prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension and to assess the independent associations between housing assistance and chronic conditions among adults receiving HUD assistance and HUD-assistance-eligible adults not receiving HUD assistance at the time of their NHANES examination. We estimated propensity scores to adjust for potential confounders among linkage-eligible adults who had an income-to-poverty ratio less than 2 and were not receiving HUD assistance. Sensitivity analysis used 2013-2018 NHANES cycles to account for disability status. Results: Adults not receiving HUD assistance had a significantly lower adjusted prevalence of obesity (42.1%; 95% CI, 40.4%-43.8%) compared with adults receiving HUD assistance (47.5%; 95% CI, 44.8%-50.3%), but we found no differences for diabetes and hypertension. We found significant associations between housing assistance and obesity (adjusted odds ratio = 1.29; 95% CI, 1.12-1.47), but these were not significant in the sensitivity analysis with and without controlling for disability status. We found no significant associations between housing assistance and diabetes or hypertension. Conclusion: Based on data from a cross-sectional survey, we observed a higher prevalence of obesity among adults with HUD assistance compared with HUD-assistance-eligible adults without HUD assistance. Results from this study can help inform research on understanding the prevalence of chronic disease among adults with HUD assistance.

Drinking Water From Private Wells and Risks to Children.

Drinking water for >23 million US households is obtained from private wells. These wells can become contaminated by chemicals, naturally occurring toxic substances, or pathogenic organisms that can cause illness in children. Although the US Environmental Protection Agency and most states offer some guidance for the construction, maintenance, and testing of private wells, most states only regulate the construction of new private water wells. With few exceptions, well owners are responsible for their own wells after the initial construction. Children may also drink well water at childcare or when traveling. This policy statement provides recommendations for the inspection, testing, and remediation of private wells to provide safe drinking water for children.

Drinking Water From Private Wells and Risks to Children.

Drinking water for approximately 23 million US households is obtained from private wells. These wells can become contaminated by pollutant chemicals or pathogenic organisms, leading to significant illness. Although the US Environmental Protection Agency and all states offer guidance for construction, maintenance, and testing of private wells, most states only regulate the construction of new private water wells. With a few exceptions, there is little regulation after construction. Well owners are responsible for their own wells. Children may also drink well water at child care or when traveling. Illness resulting from children's ingestion of contaminated water can be severe. This report reviews relevant aspects of groundwater and wells; describes the common chemical and microbiologic contaminants; gives an algorithm with recommendations for inspection, testing, and remediation for wells providing drinking water for children; and provides references and Internet resources for more information.

Body fat differences among US youth aged 8-19 by race and Hispanic origin, 2011-2018.

BACKGROUND: The association between body mass index (BMI) and adiposity differs by race/ethnicity. OBJECTIVE: To examine differences in adiposity by race/Hispanic origin among US youth and explore how those differences relate to differences in BMI using the most recent national data, including non-Hispanic Asian youth. METHODS: Weight, height and DXA-derived fat mass index (FMI) and percentage body fat (%BF) from 6923 youth 8-19 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2018 were examined. Age-adjusted mean BMI, FMI and %BF were reported. Sex-specific linear regression models predicting %BF and FMI were adjusted for age, BMI category and BMI category*race/Hispanic origin interaction. RESULTS: %BF was highest among Hispanic males (28.2%) and females (35.7%). %BF was lower among non-Hispanic Black (23.9%) compared with non-Hispanic White (26.0%) and non-Hispanic Asian (26.6%) males. There was no difference between non-Hispanic Black females (32.7%) and non-Hispanic White (33.2%) or non-Hispanic Asian (32.7%) females. FMI was higher among Hispanic youth compared with non-Hispanic White youth. Among youth with underweight/healthy weight, predicted %BF and FMI were lower among non-Hispanic Black males (-2.8%; -0.5) and females (-2.0%; -0.3), compared with non-Hispanic White youth, and higher among Hispanic males (0.9%; 0.2) and females (2.0%; 0.5), while %BF but not FMI was higher among non-Hispanic Asian males (1.3%) and females (1.4%). Among females with obesity, non-Hispanic Asian females had lower %BF (-2.3%) and FMI (-1.7) than non-Hispanic White females. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in %BF and FMI by race/Hispanic origin were not consistent by BMI category among US youth in 2011-2018.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children in the United States, March 2020 to February 2021.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) varies by race and ethnicity. This study assessed whether disparities in MIS-C in the United States by race and ethnicity exceed known disparities in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) incidence. METHODS: We compared the distribution of race and ethnicity among patients with MIS-C (<21 years of age, termed children) with onset March 2020 to February 2021 to that of children with COVID-19 and in the general population. Analysis was restricted to 369 counties with high completeness of race and ethnicity reporting for MIS-C and COVID-19. For each racial and ethnic group, observed numbers of patients with MIS-C were compared with expected numbers (observed/expected ratio) in children with COVID-19 and in the general population within these counties. RESULTS: Compared with children in the general population, MIS-C was more frequent among Hispanic (139% of expected) and non-Hispanic Black children (183%) and less frequent among non-Hispanic White (64%) and non-Hispanic Asian children (48%). Compared with children with COVID-19, MIS-C was more frequent in non-Hispanic Black children (207% of expected) and less frequent in non-Hispanic White children (68%); however, frequency was not different among Hispanic (102%) and non-Hispanic Asian (74%) children. CONCLUSIONS: Disparities in MIS-C by race and ethnicity exist, even after controlling for COVID-19 disparities and geographic variations. The high proportion of MIS-C among Hispanic children and low proportion among non-Hispanic Asian children align with COVID-19 rates, while the high proportion among non-Hispanic Black children and low proportion among non-Hispanic White children are not explainable by COVID-19 rates.

Changes in adiposity among children and adolescents in the United States, 1999-2006 to 2011-2018.

BACKGROUND: Data from the NHANES indicate that BMI has increased in some subgroups of children and adolescents in the United States over the past 20 y; however, BMI is an indirect measure of body fatness. OBJECTIVES: We assessed changes in DXA-derived measures of adiposity in a nationally representative population of US children and adolescents aged 8-19 y from 1999-2006 to 2011-2018. METHODS: Using data from the NHANES, we compared the means and distributions of DXA-derived percentage body fat (%BF) and fat mass index (FMI; fat mass/height2 in kg/m2) between 1999-2006 (n = 10,231) and 2011-2018 (n = 6923) among males and females by age group, race and Hispanic origin, and BMI categories. Estimates were standardized by age and race and Hispanic origin. RESULTS: From 1999-2006 to 2011-2018, mean %BF increased from 25.6% to 26.3% (change in %BF: 0.7%; 95% CI: 0.2%, 1.2%; P < 0.01) among all males, whereas mean %BF increased from 33.0% to 33.7% (change in %BF: 0.7%; 95% CI: 0.2%, 1.2%; P = 0.01) and mean FMI increased from 7.7 to 8.0 fat mass kg/m2 (change in FMI: 0.3 fat mass kg/m2; 95% CI: 0.0, 0.6 fat mass kg/m2; P = 0.02) among all females. Changes were not consistent across all age, race and Hispanic origin, and BMI categories. Both %BF and FMI increased among Mexican-American children and adolescents, but not other race and Hispanic origin groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among US children and adolescents, DXA-derived measures of adiposity increased from 1999-2006 to 2011-2018, albeit not consistently in every age, race and Hispanic origin, and BMI subgroup. These data reinforce the need to consider other measures, besides BMI categories, when studying adiposity in children and adolescents.

Trends in Geographic and Temporal Distribution of US Children With Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Importance: Multiple inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) occurs in association with the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics and geographic and temporal distribution of the largest cohort of patients with MIS-C in the United States to date. Design, Setting, and Participants: Cross-sectional analysis was conducted on clinical and laboratory data collected from patients with MIS-C. The analysis included patients with illness onset from March 2020 to January 2021 and met MIS-C case definition. Main Outcomes and Measures: Geographic and temporal distribution of MIS-C was compared with that of COVID-19 nationally, by region, and level of urbanicity by county. Clinical and laboratory findings and changes over time were described by age group and by presence or absence of preceding COVID-19. Results: A total of 1733 patients with MIS-C were identified; 994 (57.6%) were male and 1117 (71.3%) were Hispanic or non-Hispanic Black. Gastrointestinal symptoms, rash, and conjunctival hyperemia were reported by 53% (n = 931) to 67% (n = 1153) of patients. A total of 937 patients (54%) had hypotension or shock, and 1009 (58.2%) were admitted for intensive care. Cardiac dysfunction was reported in 484 patients (31.0%), pericardial effusion in 365 (23.4%), myocarditis in 300 (17.3%), and coronary artery dilatation or aneurysms in 258 (16.5%). Patients aged 0 to 4 years had the lowest proportion of severe manifestations, although 171 patients (38.4%) had hypotension or shock and 197 (44.3%) were admitted for intensive care. Patients aged 18 to 20 years had the highest proportions with myocarditis (17 [30.9%]), pneumonia (20 [36.4%]), acute respiratory distress syndrome (10 [18.2%]), and polymerase chain reaction positivity (39 [70.9%]). These older adolescents also had the highest proportion reporting preceding COVID-19-like illness (63%). Nationally, the first 2 MIS-C peaks followed the COVID-19 peaks by 2 to 5 weeks. The cumulative MIS-C incidence per 100 000 persons younger than 21 years was 2.1 and varied from 0.2 to 6.3 by state. Twenty-four patients (1.4%) died. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study of a large cohort of patients with MIS-C, 2 peaks that followed COVID-19 peaks by 2 to 5 weeks were identified. The geographic and temporal association of MIS-C with the COVID-19 pandemic suggested that MIS-C resulted from delayed immunologic responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The clinical manifestations varied by age and by presence or absence of preceding COVID-19.

Dietary Supplement Use Among Adults: United States, 2017-2018.

Dietary supplement use is common in the United States (1). The additional nutrients provided by dietary supplements can help meet recommended nutrient targets but can also potentially lead to excess intakes (2,3). This report describes recent prevalence estimates for dietary supplement use among U.S. adults, the distribution of the number of dietary supplements used, and the most common types of dietary supplements used. Trends in dietary supplement use from 2007-2008 through 2017-2018 are also reported.

Special Diets Among Adults: United States, 2015-2018.

To help achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, support nutrient adequacy, and reduce the risk of chronic disease, the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend following a healthy eating pattern across the lifespan (1). Some people adhere to specific eating patterns, otherwise known as special diets, for the purposes of weight loss or other health-related reasons. This report shows the percentage of U.S. adults who, on a given day, were on any special diet and specific types of special diets in 2015-2018 and trends from 2007-2008 through 2017-2018.

Dietary Supplement Use in Children and Adolescents Aged ≤19 Years - United States, 2017-2018.

Dietary supplement use is common among children and adolescents. During 2013-2014, approximately one third of children and adolescents (persons aged ≤19 years) in the United States were reported to use a dietary supplement in the past 30 days, and use varied by demographic characteristics (1,2). Dietary supplements can contribute substantially to overall nutrient intake, having the potential to both mitigate nutrient shortfalls as well as to lead to nutrient intake above recommended upper limits (3). However, because nutritional needs should generally be met through food consumption according to the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, only a few dietary supplements are specifically recommended for use among children and adolescents and only under particular conditions (4). The most recently released data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during 2017-2018 were used to estimate the prevalence of use among U.S. children and adolescents of any dietary supplement, two or more dietary supplements, and specific dietary supplement product types. Trends were calculated for dietary supplement use from 2009-2010 to 2017-2018. During 2017-2018, 34.0% of children and adolescents used any dietary supplement in the past 30 days, with no significant change since 2009-2010. Use of two or more dietary supplements increased from 4.3% during 2009-2010 to 7.1% during 2017-2018. Multivitamin-mineral products were used by 23.8% of children and adolescents, making these the products most commonly used. Because dietary supplement use is common, surveillance of dietary supplement use, combined with nutrient intake from diet, will remain an important component of monitoring nutritional intake in children and adolescents to inform clinical practice and dietary recommendations.

Severe lead poisoning requiring hospitalization: A case report.

Cases of severe childhood lead poisoning (a blood lead level (BLL) ≥45 mcg/dL) in the United States have decreased with time. Clinicians will encounter such cases only rarely. When such cases arise, however, recognizing their complexities and identifying resources that can help in management are important. We present here a case of severe childhood lead poisoning, highlighting the variable presentation, the rebound phenomenon of BLL after chelation, the usefulness of the zinc protoporphyrin as an adjunctive monitoring parameter, and the importance of early involvement of an inter-professional team.

Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in Barbados: Driving change in practice at the national level.

INTRODUCTION: Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) is of growing concern globally. The risk for transmission of antimicrobial resistant organisms across several continents to the Caribbean is a real one given its tourism industry. After a cluster of cases of CRKP were detected, several studies detailed in this report were initiated to better characterize the problem. METHODS: A hospital-wide point prevalence study and active surveillance were performed at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in Barbados in 2013 to assess the prevalence of CRKP infection/colonization. Following this, a 1-year longitudinal study measured the prevalence of CRKP isolates in the hospital and across all healthcare facilities in the country. RESULTS: In 2013, eleven viable isolates of CRKP from cluster of cases were sent for molecular epidemiology studies. When sequenced, they were found to be the ST-258 clone. Identification of a cluster of cases of CRKP ST-258/512 clones indicated person-to-person transmission. In September 2013, the hospital-wide point prevalence study revealed 18% of patients (53/299) at the hospital were either colonized or infected with CRKP. The infection to colonization ratio was 1:7. Patients who were infected/colonized vs. non-colonized were older (64.7 vs. 48.7 years, p<0.0001), were hospitalized longer (42.5 days vs. 27 days, p = 0.0042), were more likely to have an invasive device (66% vs. 32%, p<0.0001), especially urinary catheters (55% vs. 24%, p<0.0001), and were more likely to have used antimicrobials within the prior 14 days (91% vs. 46%, p<0.0001). Specific antimicrobials, including fluoroquinolones and piperacillin-tazobactam, were significantly associated with infection/colonization. In 2014, the 12-month period prevalence of CRKP in Barbados was 49.6 per 100,000 population and of blood stream infections was 3.2 per 100,000 population. CONCLUSIONS: This point prevalence study identified patients at-risk of acquisition of CRKP and allowed QEH to implement interventions aimed at decreasing the prevalence of CRKP. Organization of a National and regional Infection Prevention and Control Committee in 2014 aimed to strengthen antimicrobial resistance surveillance programs across the English-speaking Caribbean were established.

Physical activity reduces risk for colon polyps in a multiethnic colorectal cancer screening population.

BACKGROUND: Identifying modifiable factors that influence the epidemiology of colorectal cancer incidence among multiethnic groups might be informative for the development of public health strategies targeting the disease. Minimal data exists describing the impact of physical activity on colorectal polyp risk in United States minority populations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship of exercise on the prevalence of polyps in a multiethnic colorectal cancer screening population. RESULTS: We enrolled 982 patients: 558 Hispanic, 202 Asian,149 Black, and 69 White. Patients who reported exercising one or more hours weekly had a lower prevalence of any polyps (25.3% vs 33.2%, P = 0.008) as well as adenomas (13.8 vs. 18.9%, P = 0.03) compared to those who did not exercise. Black and Hispanic patients and those who were overweight or obese also had lower prevalence of polyps if they led an active lifestyle. Multivariate analysis revealed that age >55, male sex, and Black race/ethnicity were positively associated with the presence of adenomas, while a history of exercising one hour or more weekly was an independent negative predictor for the presence of adenomas anywhere in the colon (OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.4 - 0.9, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Exercising one hour per week was associated with a lower prevalence of polyps and adenomas when compared to those who exercised less or not at all. An active lifestyle provides benefits to groups who are at risk for colorectal cancer, such as Blacks. It also provides significant protection to overweight and obese individuals. Public health initiatives should promote physical activity as a cancer prevention tool in multiethnic populations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: none.