Vital Signs Town Hall Teleconferences

African American Health: Creating Equal Opportunities for Health
African Americans are living longer. The death rate for African Americans has declined about 25% over 17 years, primarily for those aged 65 years and older. Even with these improvements, new analysis shows that younger African Americans are living with or dying of many conditions typically found in white Americans at older ages. This teleconference featured a Vital Signs summary and discussion about health disparities and programs proven to reduce them and create opportunities for health.

Zika Virus: Protecting Pregnant Women and Babies
Zika virus infection (Zika) during pregnancy can cause damage to the brain, microcephaly, and congenital Zika syndrome, a pattern of conditions in the baby that includes brain abnormalities, eye defects, hearing loss, and limb defects. Pregnant women can protect their babies from these Zika-related health conditions by not traveling to areas with Zika. This teleconference featured a Vital Signs summary and discussion about surveillance of Zika virus and CDC’s recommendations for prevention.

Arthritis in America 
Arthritis is a leading cause of disability. It causes pain, aching, stiffness, and swelling of the joints. Many adults with arthritis are prescribed opioid medicines, yet other options for pain are safer. Physical activity can decrease pain and improve physical function by about 40%. This teleconference featured a Vital Signs summary and discussion about how adults with arthritis can reduce their symptoms by participating in disease management education programs.

Too Loud for Too Long ― Loud Noises Damage Hearing 
Hearing loss is the third most common chronic health condition in the US. Being around too much loud noise—like using a leaf blower or going to loud concerts—can cause permanent hearing loss. And once it’s gone, you can’t get it back! You can have hearing loss before you even notice you’re having problems. This teleconference featured a Vital Signs summary and discussion about how noise exposure can permanently damage hearing.

Good Healthcare Decreases Kidney Failure in Native Americans with Diabetes
Native Americans (American Indians and Alaska Natives) have a greater chance of having diabetes than any other US racial group. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, a costly condition that requires dialysis or kidney transplant for survival. This teleconference featured a Vital Signs summary and discussion about  the declining rate of kidney failure from diabetes among Native Americans due to population health and team-based approaches to diabetes and kidney care.

Preventing HIV Among People Who Inject Drugs: The Vital Role of Syringe Services Programs
Sharing needles, syringes, and other injection equipment puts people who inject drugs (PWID) at high risk for getting HIV and other infections, including hepatitis. Syringe services programs (SSPs) can play a role in preventing HIV and other health problems among PWID. This teleconference featured a Vital Signs  summary and discussion about programs that provide comprehensive services including access to sterile syringes, help with stopping substance misuse, and HIV testing and linkage to treatment.

Partnering to Reduce Tobacco-Related Cancers
Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer and cancer deaths. It can cause not only lung cancer, but also several other types of cancer. Each year, 660,000 people in the US are diagnosed with and 343,000 people die from a cancer related to tobacco use. We have made progress: more than 1 million tobacco-related cancer deaths have been avoided since 1990. This teleconference featured a Vital Signs  summary and discussion about comprehensive cancer and tobacco control programs.

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