Office of Communication Media Relations http://www.cdc.gov/media/?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDClink Every year, flu season occurs in the United States – but did you know that flu seasons can be different each year? Flu seasons can differ in timing, duration, or severity. This year, there is a new and very different influenza virus causing illness called 2009 H1N1 flu. Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/101909-CDC-Seasonal-Flu-Matte.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_101909-CDC-Seasonal-Flu-Matte.pdf To raise awareness about developmental milestones and the importance of identifying them and getting help early, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers free information and tools for parents, health care professionals, and early educators through it’s "Learn the Signs. Act Early." campaign Wed, 7 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/ASD-Learn-the-Signs-of-Autism.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCHealthy-Aging Vaccines are one of the greatest success stories in public health and have ended smallpox, nearly ended polio and reduced outbreaks of measles, pertussis and other illnesses to an all-time low. Wed, 7 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/ASD-Vaccine-Safety-Matte.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCHealthy-Aging What is longevity without health? Adults today are looking not only to extend their lives, but to enjoy their extra years. Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCHealthy-Aging.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCHealthy-Aging Parents of adolescents know that it can be challenging to make sure their teens are making healthy choices. Latino parents who have immigrated to the United States face an additional and unique challenge: raising adolescents in a new country and culture. Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCAcculturationMatteRelease.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_Acculturation The temperatures are rising and the days are getting longer. It′s summertime once again. Here are some tips to help make your summer the best, and healthiest, one yet. Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCSummerSafety.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_Safe-Healthy Novel influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) is a new flu virus of swine origin that was first detected in April, 2009. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCNovelH1N1Matte.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_H1N1 If you wonder how environmental contaminants in your community affect your health, you can now find information online by using the Environmental Public Health Tracking Network. Tue, 7 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCEPHT.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_EPHT Motor vehicles add convenience to our lives. What is unfortunate is that motor vehicle crashes can—and do—happen. Across the globe, 1.27 million people die in traffic crashes each year. What’s more, nearly half of those who die (46 percent) are pedestrians, motorcyclists, and cyclists, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Status Report on Road Safety. Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDC-Road-Safety-Matte.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDC-Road-Safety-Matte Want to get in shape, get healthier, and get moving? Do you know the benefits or exercise, yet dread working out because you think it’s too strenuous or too boring? Maybe it’s time to rethink the way you bring physical activity into your life. Mon, 8 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCBicyclingMatte.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCBicyclingMatte A young child awakens early one morning to a fluttering sound coming from the blinds covering her bedroom window. He gets out of bed and notices what looks like a small bird flopping around on the floor. The child picks up the bird and realizes that it’s not a bird but a bat and releases it out the window. Mon, 1 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCRabiesMatteRelease.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCRabiesMatteRelease Swimming is the second most popular sports activity in the United States, with hundreds of millions of swimming visits each year. To help protect swimmers’ health, pool chemicals are added to the water at aquatics venues, such as pools, water parks, and interactive fountains. Thu, 14 May 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCPoolChemcialInjuriesMatte.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCPoolChemcialInjuriesMatte Swimming and other water-related activities such as water skiing and boating are excellent ways to spend leisure time and to engage in physical activity. However, it is important for everyone to follow basic guidelines to prevent Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs). Tue, 05 May 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCRWIMatteRelease.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCRWIMatteRelease Easter brings to mind brightly colored eggs, baskets full of candy, and large chocolate bunnies. Traditions associated with the Easter season are enjoyable for children and adults alike. However, some Easter traditions are of particular concern for children, placing them at risk for serious illness. Baby animals, including baby chicks and ducklings, are sometimes given as gifts or put on display at this time of the year. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCPeepSalmonellaMatteRelease.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCPeepSalmonellaMatteRelease Vegetable dishes, salads, and fruit are an important part of holiday meals for many families. But meals can take a turn for the worse if food safety isn't a regular ingredient in the preparing or cooking of your sweet potato pies, collard greens, broccoli casseroles or fruit salads. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/foodsafe_produce.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_foodsafe_produce Food is always an important part of holiday festivities. But holiday meals can take a turn for the worse if food safety isn't a regular ingredient in preparing and cooking the food. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/foodsafe_maindish.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_foodsafe_maindish A mother's alcohol use during pregnancy can cause birth defects and developmental disabilities. These problems are completely preventable if a mother does not drink alcohol while pregnant. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCFASMatteRelease.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCFASMatteRelease We all know the importance of making sure a child is healthy, but parents may not be aware of the signs and symptoms of major developmental disabilities, such as cerebral palsy (CP). CP, the most common cause of motor disability in childhood, is a group of disorders that affect a person's ability to move and keep their balance and posture. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCCerebralPalsymatterelease.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCCerebralPalsymatterelease Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the United States. While it isn't known why African American men have higher rates of getting and dying from prostate cancer, CDC believes that what you know can help you. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCProstateCancerMatteRelease.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCProstateCancerMatteRelease A majority of Americans are not aware of the serious potential risks associated with newborn jaundice, according to a recent survey.  This national survey of nearly 5,000 Americans found that more than 70 percent (71.9 percent) of respondents polled had never heard of kernicterus, a condition that results from brain damage caused when bilirubin levels get too high and go untreated. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCBrainDamageMatteRelease.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCBrainDamageMatteRelease Babies begin to develop speech and language from the time they are born. They learn by listening and interacting with the sounds and voices around them. But, when a baby is born with hearing loss, many sounds and voices are not heard, and the child’s speech and language development can be delayed. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCHearingMatteRelease.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCHearingMatteRelease Anyone who cares for or just cares about an older adult-a parent, grandparent, other family member, or even a close friend-will say they are concerned about keeping their loved one healthy and independent. But few will say they are worried about a traumatic brain injury (TBI) robbing their loved one of his or her independence. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCHelpSeniorsLiveBetterPreventBrainInjury.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCHelpSeniorsLiveBetterPreventBrainInjury Did you know that 1 in 10 Americans has, or has had asthma at some point in their lives? Most people don't die from asthma, but there is concern for African Americans because asthma is more likely to cause death. The reason for this disparity is not known. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCBreatheEasierAsthmaRelease.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCBreatheEasierAsthmaRelease Preterm, or premature, delivery is the most frequent cause of infant mortality, accounting for more than one third of all infant deaths during the first year of life. The infant mortality rate among black infants is 2.4 times higher than that of white infants, primarily due to preterm birth. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCMatteReleaseInfantMortality.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCMatteReleaseInfantMortality More than 38 million boys and girls, ages 5-18, participate in organized youth sports across the country. And while sports can be a fun way to socialize and instill values such as teamwork, physical activity can also mean potential injuries. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCYouthSportsMatteRelease.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCYouthSportsMatteRelease Although children may not want to admit it, the school year is here. Parents know that back to school means a packed planner filled with everything from recitals to parent-teacher conferences. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCElectronicRegression.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCElectronicRegression CDC advises parents about colds, flu and antibiotics The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has news for parents this cold and flu season: antibiotics don't work for a cold or the flu. Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/GetSmartMattreleaseSpanish.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_GetSmartMattreleaseSpanish Each year in United States approximately 3,000 pregnancies are affected by serious defects of the spine and brain called neural tube defects (NTDs). Hispanic women have a 30-40 percent higher risk of having babies with these birth defects.  NTDs occur in the first few weeks of pregnancy, very often before a woman even knows she is pregnant. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCFolicAcidMatRelease12-22English.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCFolicAcidMatRelease12-22English Adults gain substantial health benefits from two hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate aerobic physical activity, and children benefit from an hour or more of physical activity a day, according to the new Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. On October 7, 2008, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, a comprehensive set of recommendations for people of all ages and physical conditions. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCPhysicalActivityMatteRelease.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCPhysicalActivityMatteRelease You might not realize that your father's diabetes or your cousin's sickle cell disease could affect your child, but this family history information could help save your child's life. According to a Pediatrics supplement, "Use of Family History Information in Pediatric Primary Care and Public Health," that's not the only family history information that can affect your child's health or be important to their health care. Along with genes, your family often has similar behaviors, such as exercise habits, and a common culture, such as the foods you eat. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCHistoryMatteRelease.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCHistoryMatteRelease Getting screened for some cancers can actually help prevent them from occurring. In particular, screening helps prevent cancers of the cervix, colon and rectum. Screening also helps find other cancers – such as breast cancer – at an early stage, when treatment can be most effective. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCCancerScreeningMatteRelease.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCCancerScreeningMatteRelease There are a lot of things you can get out of an intimate relationship – human connection, understanding, love. But one thing you don't want to get is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). STDs are caused by infections passed from one person to another through sexual contact and can be passed through oral, vaginal or anal sex. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/STDAwarenesMatteRelease.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_STDAwarenesMatteRelease Flu season came late this year, but it's here now! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu activity increased steadily during the month of February and is widespread in most of the country right now. Section: Diseases & Conditions. Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/Flu_is_here.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_Flu_is_here As children enter their pre-teen years, their world becomes an exciting place of new experiences and newfound freedoms. But adults know that adolescence also brings new risks and potential dangers, and parents can't be there every minute. Tues, 6 Jan 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCPreteenVaccinationsEnglish.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCPreteenVaccinationsEnglish The truth about methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) may surprise you. MRSA is a type of bacteria that causes skin and other kinds of infections. Tues, 24 Oct 2008 http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/KnowTheTruthaboutMRSASkinInfections.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_KnowTheTruthaboutMRSASkinInfections You′ve done your homework, researching and interviewing to find the best care for your child, but is your caregiver—nanny, babysitter, daycare worker or family member—protected against the flu. Tues, 11 Dec 2008 http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCProtectYourChildfromFluMatRelease.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCProtectYourChildfromFluMatRelease Learning the Truth about One of the Most Common Genetic Diseases Sickle cell disease one of the most common genetic diseases in the United States. It is estimated that more than 70,000 people have sickle cell disease and more than two million people carry the gene that allows them to pass it on to their children. Tues, 11 Sept 2008 http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/CDCSickleCellMatteRelease.pdf?s_cid=mediamatrel_CDCSickleCellMatteRelease