Executive Order 8802: Prohibition of Discrimination in the Defense Industry

"In June of 1941, President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 8802, banning discriminatory employment practices by Federal agencies and all unions and companies engaged in war-related work. The order also established the Fair Employment Practices Commission to enforce the new policy..."
Execurive order 8802

Minorities and Women Are at Greater Risk for Alzheimer's Disease

"Are you more likely to get Alzheimer’s disease? Read about who is at risk and what you can do.

Hispanic and African Americans in the United States will see the largest increases in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias between 2015 and 2060.¹ Dementia is not a specific disease but rather a general term for the impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interferes with doing everyday activities.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. Current estimates are that about 5.8 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, including 5.6 million aged 65 and older and about 200,000 under age 65 with younger-onset Alzheimer’s.²

By 2060, the number of Alzheimer’s disease cases is predicted to rise to an estimated 14 million people, with minority populations being affected the most.¹

• Cases among Hispanics will increase seven times over today’s estimates.
• Cases among African Americans will increase four times over today’s estimates.

Health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes may account for these differences, as they are more common in the Hispanic and African American populations. Lower levels of education, higher rates of poverty, and greater exposure to adversity and discrimination may also increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease.²

Among all races, women are nearly two times more likely to be affected by Alzheimer’s disease than men.^1,2 The difference is due primarily to women living longer.²

Understanding the disparities in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is the first step toward developing prevention strategies and targeting services to those most at risk for developing the disease..."
Alzheimer disease

Technological Convergence: Regulatory, Digital Privacy, and Data Security Issues

"Technological convergence, in general, refers to the trend or phenomenon where two or more independent technologies integrate and form a new outcome. One example is the smartphone. A smartphone integrated several independent technologies—such as telephone, computer, camera, music player, television (TV), and geolocating and navigation tool—into a single device. The smartphone has become its own, identifiable category of technology, establishing a $350 billion industry.

Of the three closely associated convergences—technological convergence, media convergence, and network convergence—consumers most often directly engage with technological convergence. Technological convergent devices share three key characteristics. First, converged devices can execute multiple functions to serve blended purpose. Second, converged devices can collect and use data in various formats and employ machine learning techniques to deliver enhanced user experience. Third, converged devices are connected to a network directly and/or are interconnected with other devices to offer ubiquitous access to users.

Technological convergence may present a range of issues where Congress may take legislative and/or oversight actions. Three selected issue areas associated with technological convergence are regulatory jurisdiction, digital privacy, and data security. First, merging and integrating multiple technologies from distinct functional categories into one converged technology may pose challenges to defining regulatory policies and responsibilities. Determining oversight jurisdictions and regulatory authorities for converged technologies can become unclear as the boundaries that once separated single-function technologies blend together. A challenge for Congress may be in delineating which government agency has jurisdiction over various converged technologies. Defining policies that regulate technological convergence industry may not be simple or straightforward. This may further complicate how Congress oversees government agencies and converged industries due to blending boundaries of existing categories..."
Technological convergence

Population Estimates Show Aging Across Race Groups Differs

"The nation as a whole continues to grow older with the median age increasing to 38.2 years in 2018, up from 37.2 years in 2010. The pace of this aging is different across race and ethnicity groups, according to new 2018 Population Estimates by demographic characteristics for the nation, states and counties, released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.

From 2010 to 2018, the U.S. population’s median age increased by 1.0 years. Amongst the different race groups:

• The white alone-or-in-combination population increased by 1.0 years.
• The black or African American alone-or-in-combination population grew by 1.4 years.
• The American Indian and Alaska Native alone-or-in-combination population increased by 2.2 years.
• The Asian alone-or-in-combination population increased by 1.7 years.
• The Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone-or-in-combination population increased by 2.6 years.
• The Hispanic (any race) population experienced an increase in median age of 2.2 years..."
  Population and aging

Sickle Cell Disease Monitoring

"CDC is working to improve the lives of people with sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited blood disorder. Learn about CDC’s SCD monitoring projects, and find a suite of online resources that can help you or someone you know live healthy with SCD.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a blood disorder present at birth. People with SCD have “sickle” shaped red blood cells that stick together and block blood and oxygen from reaching all parts of the body, leading to health problems such as pain, anemia, infections, and stroke. Approximately 100,000 Americans are affected by SCD. CDC is committed to studying SCD to improve the health and care of people with this condition.

CDC Monitoring Projects

CDC, and participating states, began SCD surveillance (monitoring) in 2010 to learn more about people with SCD and the health problems they experience. SCD monitoring involves collecting information on diagnoses, treatments, and healthcare access for people with SCD in the United States.

CDC coordinated these efforts as part of three projects:

• Registry and Surveillance System for Hemoglobinopathies (RuSH) (from 2010-2012)
• Public Health Research, Epidemiology, and Surveillance for Hemoglobinopathies (PHRESH) (from 2012-2014)
• Sickle Cell Data Collection (SCDC) program (ongoing since 2015)

The SCDC program, which has been ongoing since 2015, is CDC’s current monitoring project. The SCDC program collects health information about people with SCD to study the long-term trends in diagnosis, treatment, and healthcare access for people with SCD in the United States. Currently, Georgia and California are the states participating in the SCDC program. As more resources become available, CDC plans to expand the program to include additional states. The program will help inform policy and healthcare standards to improve and extend the lives of people with SCD..."
Sickle cell disease

The Impeachment Process in the House of Representatives

"Under the U.S. Constitution, the House of Representatives has the power to formally charge a federal officer with wrongdoing, a process known as impeachment. The House impeaches an individual when a majority agrees to a House resolution containing explanations of the charges. The explanations in the resolution are referred to as “articles of impeachment.” After the House agrees to impeach an officer, the role of the Senate is to conduct a trial to determine whether the charged individual should be removed from office. Removal requires a two-thirds vote in the Senate.

The House impeachment process generally proceeds in three phases: (1) initiation of the impeachment process; (2) Judiciary Committee investigation, hearings, and markup of articles of impeachment; and (3) full House consideration of the articles of impeachment.

Impeachment proceedings are usually initiated in the House when a Member submits a resolution through the hopper (in the same way that all House resolutions are submitted). A resolution calling for the impeachment of an officer will be referred to the Judiciary Committee; a resolution simply authorizing an investigation of an officer will be referred to the Rules Committee. In either case, the committee could then report a privileged resolution authorizing the investigation. In the past, House committees, under their general investigatory authority, have sometimes sought information and researched charges against officers prior to the adoption of a resolution to authorize an impeachment investigation.

Impeachment proceedings could also be initiated by a Member on the floor. A Member can offer an impeachment resolution as a “Question of the Privileges of the House.” The House, when it considers a resolution called up this way, might immediately vote to refer it to the Judiciary Committee, leaving the resolution in the same status as if it had been submitted through the hopper. Alternatively, the House might vote to table the impeachment resolution. The House could also vote directly on the resolution, but in modern practice, it has not chosen to approve articles of impeachment called up in this fashion. Instead, the House has relied on the Judiciary Committee to first conduct an investigation, hold hearings, and report recommendations to the full House..."
Impeachment

Stay Healthy at Animal Exhibits

"Stay Healthy at Animal Exhibits

Interacting with animals at fairs, educational farms, petting zoos, summer camps, aquariums, schools, and other places can be educational and fun, and helps people learn about and experience animals they may not see in their daily lives. However, it is important to know that animals sometimes carry germs that can make people sick.

Every year, many people get sick after visiting an animal exhibit. From 2010-2015, about 100 outbreaks of illness in people linked to animals in public settings like zoos, fairs, and educational farms were reported to public health officials. Some of the most common harmful germs people get from animals at exhibits are E. coli O157:H7, Cryptosporodium, and Salmonella infections, but there are also many other types of germs that can spread between animals and people. Children 5 years of age and younger, people with weakened immune systems, and adults over 65 years of age  are more likely to get sick from the germs animals can carry, and should take extra precautions at animal exhibits. If you forget to wash your hands after petting an animal, or bring food or drinks into an area with animals, you increase your chance of getting sick. Even animals that look clean and healthy can carry harmful germs, and areas where animals live or roam can be contaminated – you don’t have to touch an animal to get sick.

How to stay healthy if you visit an animal exhibit or have contact with animals in a public setting

Animal encounters such as touching or petting, feeding, and holding animals are becoming more popular, especially at zoos and aquariums. An animal exhibit can be anything from a large zoo to a livestock show at the county fair. You might also encounter animals at schools, as part of local festivals, or just out and about. Wherever you are, it’s important to know ways to stay healthy while enjoying animals..."
Animal exhibits

Put Your Medicines Up and Away and Out of Sight

"Put Your Medicines Up and Away and Out of Sight

About 60,000 young children end up in emergency rooms each year because they got into medicines while an adult wasn’t looking. These emergency visits can be prevented by always putting every medicine up and away and out of children’s reach and sight every time you use it.

Families take medications and vitamins to feel well and to stay well. However, any medication, including those you buy without a prescription, can cause harm if taken in the wrong way or by the wrong person. Practicing safe medication storage, while at home and when on-the-go, can help keep children safe.

Protect your children. Here’s how:

Put medicines up and away and out of children’s reach and sight.

• Children are curious and put all sorts of things in their mouths. Even if you turn your back for less than a minute, they can quickly get into things that could hurt them.
• Pick a storage place in your home that children cannot reach or see. Different families will have different places. Walk around your house and decide on the safest place to keep your medicines and vitamins.

Put medicines away every time.

• This includes medicines and vitamins you use every day. Never leave medicine out on a kitchen counter or at a sick child’s bedside, even if you have to give it again in a few hours.

Make sure the safety cap is locked.

• Always relock the cap on a medicine bottle. If the bottle has a locking cap that turns, twist it until you hear the click or cannot twist anymore.
• Remember, even though many medicines have safety caps, children may be able to open them. Every medicine must be stored up and away and out of children’s reach and sight..."
  Medicine safety

Collateral Consequences: The Crossroads of Punishment, Redemption, and the Effects on Communities

"...This report provides an overview of the relevant data and arguments for and against the imposition of collateral consequences on people with criminal records. Each year, federal and state prisons release more than 620,000 people to return to their communities. While these individuals have often completely exited criminal supervision (for example, through a prison sentence or probation), individuals with criminal records still face potentially thousands of collateral consequences upon reentering society. These collateral consequences are sanctions, restrictions, or disqualifications that attach to a person because of the person’s criminal history. For example, individuals with criminal histories can face barriers to voting, jury service, holding public office, securing employment, obtaining housing, receiving public assistance, owning a firearm, getting a driver’s license, qualifying for financial aid and college admission, qualifying for military service, and maintaining legal status as an immigrant. The reach of each collateral consequence extends past people with criminal records to affect families and communities.

The Commission majority (six Commissioners in favor, one Commissioner in opposition) approved key findings including the following: Collateral consequences exacerbate punishment beyond the criminal conviction after an individual completes the court-imposed sentence. Valid public safety bases support some collateral consequences, such as limitations on working with children for people convicted of particular dangerous crimes. Many collateral consequences, however, are unrelated either to the underlying crime for which a person has been convicted or to a public safety purpose. When the collateral consequences are unrelated in this way, their imposition generally negatively affects public safety and the public good..."
Collateral consequences

Enforcing Federal Privacy Law— Constitutional Limitations on Private Rights of Action

"Over the last two years, the prospect of a comprehensive federal data privacy law has been the subject of considerable attention in the press and in Congress. Some Members of Congress and outside groups have developed many proposals in the last six months alone. Some of the proposed legislation would limit companies’ ability to use personal information collected online, require that companies protect customers from data breaches, provide certain disclosures about their use of personal information, or allow users to opt out of certain data practices. Some proposals combine all of those elements or take still different approaches.

One overarching question that every data privacy proposal raises is how to enforce any new federal rights or obligations that a given bill would impose. One traditional method of enforcement would be by a federal agency, such as the Federal Trade Commission or Department of Justice, through civil penalties or criminal liability. A bill could also provide for enforcement in civil lawsuits brought by State Attorney Generals. Along with these methods, several outside commentators have recently called for any new federal privacy legislation to include a federal private right of action—a right that would allow individuals aggrieved by violations of the law to file lawsuits against violators in order to obtain money damages in federal court. At least one bill proposed in Congress includes such a right: the Privacy Bill of Rights Act, S. 1214..."
Federal privacy laws

Influenza: Progress since 2009

"Summary of Progress since 2009

10 years ago, an influenza (flu) virus emerged that had never been seen before in humans. This novel H1N1 flu virus was first detected in April of 2009 in the United States, and spread quickly around the world. On June 11^th, 2009, the World Health Organization declared the start of the first flu pandemic in 40 years. CDC estimates that between 151,700 and 575,400 people died worldwide from the 2009 H1N1 virus infection during the first year the virus circulated. That H1N1 virus has continued to circulate worldwide annually since it emerged in 2009.

The 10-year commemoration of the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic is an opportunity to reflect on that event in history as well as to acknowledge the importance of ongoing efforts to improve domestic and global capacity to detect and respond to novel flu viruses. Since 2009, substantial advances have been made in influenza science and preparedness. Here’s a summary of progress made in the last 10 years:

Monitoring and Detection

• CDC implemented a standardized sampling strategy for flu across public health and clinical laboratories that is nationally representative and that ensures efficiency and data confidence. This means that that a new flu virus with pandemic potential can be detected more easily and rapidly.
• All flu virus samples (about 6,000 to 8,000 samples) submitted to CDC now undergo full genetic sequencing as a first step. This provides a complete picture of the many different flu viruses that are circulating in people, enables faster outbreak response, and greatly expands the global flu genetic database.
• CDC partners with three state laboratories that now act as regional reference centers doing genetic sequencing using CDC’s standard testing practices. Data from these three National Influenza Reference Centers (NIRCs) are then uploaded to a CDC-supported “cloud” computing platform, making it instantly accessible to authorized CDC scientists. The creation of these regional hubs has expanded capacity, improved continuity of operations, and accelerated overall response time.
• CDC-developed Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction testing (rRT-PCR) has become the gold standard in flu virus testing among public health labs, resulting in data that are more reliable and available more quickly.  CDC makes these test kits available to qualified laboratories through the web-based International Reagent Repository, an online service that supports global surveillance for flu and which can rapidly surge to support demand for testing during a pandemic.
• A systematic assessment of the performance of Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests (RIDTs) led to improvements in the use and development of rapid flu virus tests.  Working with FDA, CDC supports annual testing of all commercial flu tests to assure that they continue to meet new testing standards.
• Testing for potential flu virus resistance to antiviral drugs, which used to happen only at CDC, has expanded to 19 other laboratories. This expansion increases capacity for testing and accelerates response time.  Additionally, CDC is constantly evaluating new flu viruses to determine if they are susceptible to commercially-available and experimental antiviral drugs..."
  Influenza

Vaccine Safety

"In the United States, a number of safeguards are required by law to help ensure that the vaccines we receive are safe.

The safety of vaccines is often a topic of media stories and blog postings. This attention may make you wonder, “How do we know our vaccines are safe?” Here are some important things to know about vaccine safety.

1. The safety of vaccines is thoroughly studied before they are licensed for public use.

Clinical trials are conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a vaccine before it can be brought to market. Vaccines are first tested in laboratory studies and animal studies. If the results indicate the vaccine is safe, additional testing in people must be done before the vaccine can be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Learn more about vaccine clinical trialsexternal icon.

2. There is a strong system in place to help scientists monitor the safety of vaccines.

Multiple systems are used to monitor the safety of vaccines after they have been licensed for public use. These systems, such as the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD), and the Clinical Immunization Assessment (CISA) project, complement each other and help scientists monitor the safety of vaccines and conduct vaccine safety research. Learn more about how vaccines are monitored for safety.

3. Like any medicine, vaccines can cause side effects. However, serious adverse events from vaccines are rare.

Most side effects from vaccines, such as pain and redness at the injection site, are mild and go away quickly on their own. Serious adverse events are rare. If you have questions or concerns about a vaccine, talk with your healthcare provider. Learn more about the safety of recommended vaccines.

4. Receiving combination vaccines or several different vaccines during one visit is safe and offers the quickest protection again multiple diseases.

It is safe to receive several different vaccines during one visit. Also, combination vaccines are as effective as individual vaccines. Learn more about multiple vaccines and the immune system..."
Vaccines

National Men’s Health Week

"National Men’s Health Week is observed each year leading up to Father’s Day. This week is a reminder for men to take steps to be healthier, but they don’t have to do it alone! Whether it’s your husband, partner, dad, brother, son, or friend you can help support the health and safety of the men in your life.

Set an Example with Healthy Habits

You can support the men in your life by having healthy habits yourself and by making healthy choices.

• Eat healthy and include a variety of fruits and vegetablesevery day. Fruits and vegetables have many vitamins and minerals that may help protect you from chronic diseases. Limit foods and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol.
• · Regular physical activity has many benefits. It can help control your weight, reduce your risk of heart disease and some cancers, and can improve your mental health and mood. Find fun ways to be active together. Adults need 2½ hours of physical activity each week.
• Set an example by choosing not to smoke and encourage the men in your life to quit smoking. Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term benefits. You lower your risk for different types of cancer, and don’t expose others to secondhand smoke—which causes health problems. Call your state’s tobacco quitline (for English speakers, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW [1-800-784-8669]; for Spanish speakers, call 1-855-DÉJELO-YA [1-855-335-3569])
• Help the men in your life recognize and reduce stress. Physical or emotional tension are often signs of stress. They can be reactions to a situation that causes you to feel threatened or anxious. Learn ways to manage stress including finding support, eating healthy, exercising regularly, and avoiding drugs and alcohol..."
  Men's health

United States Life Tables, 2016

"...Results—In 2016, the overall expectation of life at birth was 78.7 years, unchanged from 2015. Between 2015 and 2016, life expectancy at birth decreased by 0.1 year for males (76.3 to 76.2) and did not change for females (81.1). Life expectancy at birth did not change for the white population (78.9) between 2015 and 2016. Life expectancy at birth decreased by 0.2 year for the black population (75.5 to 75.3) and for the non-Hispanic black population (75.1 to 74.9). Life expectancy at birth decreased by 0.1 year for the non-Hispanic white population (78.7 to 78.6) and for the Hispanic population (81.9 to 81.8)..."
Life expectancy

Trends in Cancer and Heart Disease Death Rates Among Adults Aged 45–64: United States, 1999–2017

"...Cancer death rates for middle-aged adults aged 45–64 declined by 19% from 1999 to 2017 (224.9 deaths per 100,000 to 182.6), whereas heart disease death rates declined by 22% from 1999 (164.3) to 2011 (127.9) and then increased 4% from 2011 to 2017 (133.6). The same trend patterns were observed for both men and women. The cancer death rate was always higher than the heart disease death rate from 1999 to 2017, and was 37% higher in 2017. For non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black men and women, cancer death rates declined over the 1999–2017 period, whereas heart disease death rates declined and then increased since 2009 for non-Hispanic white men and women, and since 2011 for non-Hispanic black men and women. Hispanic men and women experienced different trends than their non-Hispanic white and black counterparts— both cancer and heart disease death rates for this group had periods of decline and stability..." 
Cancer and heart diseases

Israel and the Palestinians: Chronology of a Two-State Solution

"The idea of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict developed gradually in the years after Israel captured the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the 1967 ArabIsraeli war. This product highlights the evolution of this idea. In 2002, U.S. policy became explicitly supportive of creating a Palestinian state alongside Israel. Since then, unsuccessful negotiating efforts and other developments have led many observers to doubt the viability of a twostate solution. These doubts have grown during the Trump Administration amid speculation that the plan the Administration has pledged to release may use economic measures to elicit Palestinian concessions on core issues of dispute with Israelis (security, borders, settlements, Jerusalem, Palestinian refugees), without specifically calling for an independent Palestinian state.

From U.N. Security Council Resolution 242 to Oslo Process (1967-1995)

Shortly after the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, the U.N. Security Council adopted Resolution 242, which supported future negotiations involving the Israeli return of captured territories in exchange for peace with Arab states (the “land-for-peace” principle). The U.S.-brokered 1978 Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt had provisions addressing Palestinian aspirations for self-rule. The Accords anticipated transitional Palestinian autonomy in the West Bank and Gaza accompanied by Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations..."
Israel and Palestinians

Enforcing Federal Privacy Law— Constitutional Limitations on Private Rights of Action

"Over the last two years, the prospect of a comprehensive federal data privacy law has been the subject of considerable attention in the press and in Congress. Some Members of Congress and outside groups have developed many proposals in the last six months alone. Some of the proposed legislation would limit companies’ ability to use personal information collected online, require that companies protect customers from data breaches, provide certain disclosures about their use of personal information, or allow users to opt out of certain data practices. Some proposals combine all of those elements or take still differentapproaches.

One overarching question that every data privacy proposal raises is how to enforce any new federal rights or obligations that a given bill would impose. One traditional method of enforcement would be by a federal agency, such as the Federal Trade Commission or Department of Justice, through civil penalties or criminal liability. A bill could also provide for enforcement in civil lawsuits brought by State Attorney Generals. Along with these methods, several outside commentators have recently called for any new federal privacy legislation to include a federal private right of action—a right that would allow individuals aggrieved by violations of the law to file lawsuits against violators in order to obtain money damages in federal court. .At least one bill proposed in Congress includes such a right: the Privacy Bill of Rights Act, S. 1214. "
Federal privacy laws

Welcome to the New Nutrition.gov Website!

"For more than 15 years, Nutrition.gov has provided consumers with easy access to reliable information on food, healthy eating, food safety and physical activity. The Nutrition.gov team is pleased to announce the launch of a newly designed and enhanced website. Nutrition.gov will now feature a modernized, mobile-friendly design, enhanced functionality, better browsing ability and easier access to content that can help users make healthful eating choices. The website is also organized by audience type as well as nutrition topic for easier navigation.

Visitors can now access Nutrition.gov’s most popular content and resources directly from the home page. The site’s Popular Pages section will be updated regularly and is driven by users, highlighting the most-viewed pages. The new Topics page shows an at-a-glance view of the site’s content, making it easy to find information on topics such as diet and health conditions, strategies for successful weight loss and printable materials for classrooms and health fairs..."
Nutrition web site

Five Things You May Not Know About Tourette Syndrome

"There are many misbeliefs about Tourette syndrome (or Tourette for short) that make life harder for people with the condition. Knowing the facts can help you understand what it is like to have Tourette.

Tourette syndrome is a condition that affects the brain and nerves, causing people to make repeated movements and sounds, also known as motor and vocal tics, that they cannot control. The symptoms usually begin in childhood, can vary from mild to severe, and change over time. Tourette can cause problems for children’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Education can help reduce negative beliefs about Tourette, improve access to health care, ensure a timely diagnosis, and ultimately help children with Tourette lead healthy and productive lives.

Read about the symptoms and diagnosis of Tourette.

As part of CDC’s work to educate people about the condition and to celebrate Tourette Syndrome Awareness month here are five things you may not know about Tourette.

#1 People with Tourette don’t always blurt out obscenities.

Probably the most common misbelief about Tourette, often seen on TV and in movies, is that people with the condition blurt out obscenities or curse words. The reality is that most people with Tourette do not excessively or uncontrollably use inappropriate language.  Known as coprolalia, this only affects about 1 in 10 people with Tourette. Coprolalia is a complex tic that is difficult to control or suppress, and people who have this tic often feel embarrassed by it..."
Tourette syndrome

Don’t Let Measles Be Your Travel Souvenir

"Stay safe and healthy when traveling abroad. Measles spreads easily through coughing and sneezing. It can cause serious illness, even death. Make sure you and your family are vaccinated for measles before you travel.

Are you traveling abroad? You might not think about measles when you are preparing for your trip, but it is a health risk in many destinations. Make sure you and your family are vaccinated for measles and other diseases before you travel abroad.

After your trip, you want to bring home fun souvenirs, a camera full of photos, and fantastic memories—not measles!

Travelers who are not vaccinated are at risk of getting measles

Each year, unvaccinated people get infected while in other countries and bring the disease into the United States and spread it to others. Measles cases and outbreaks still occur in many parts of the world. Each year, an estimated 10 million people are affected by measles and measles kills almost 110,000 people around the world. The majority of measles cases that are brought into the United States come from unvaccinated U.S. residents.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected. An infected person can also spread measles to others 4 days before the rash even develops.."
Measles and travel

Smoking and Diabetes

"Everyone knows cigarette smoking is bad for you, but did you know it can lead to type 2 diabetes? And if you have diabetes, smoking can make it much worse. Learn how they’re connected and why quitting is one of the best things you can do for your health.

How Smoking Can Lead to Type 2 Diabetes

• Insulin helps blood sugar enter cells, but nicotine changes cells so they don’t respond to insulin, which increases blood sugar levels.
• Chemicals in cigarettes harm cells in your body and cause inflammation. This also makes cells stop responding to insulin.
• People who smoke have a higher risk of belly fat, which increases the risk for type 2 diabetes even if they aren’t overweight.

All in all, if you smoke, you’re 30% to 40% more likely to get type 2 diabetes than people who don’t smoke. The more you smoke, the higher your risk..."
Smoking and diabetes