Activity-limiting Injury in Adults: United States, 2020-2021.

Injuries can have physical (1), psychological (2,3), and economic (4) consequences, including problems with wound repair and persistent pain. Additionally, the consequences of injury may interfere with normal activities and return to work (1). This report describes the percentage of adults who had an injury that limited their usual activities in the past 3 months (an activitylimiting injury) by selected sociodemographic characteristics from the 2020 and 2021 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).

Problems Paying Medical Bills: United States, 2021.

Objective-This report presents national estimates of people living in families having problems paying medical bills by selected sociodemographic and geographic characteristics, including sex, race and Hispanic origin, family income, health insurance coverage status, education level, urbanization level, region, and state Medicaid expansion status.

Demographic Variation in Health Insurance Coverage:United States, 2021.

Objective-This report presents national estimates of different types of health insurance coverage and lack of coverage (uninsured).Estimates are presented by selected sociodemographic characteristics, including age, sex, race and Hispanic origin, family income, education level, employment status, and marital status.

Dental Care Utilization Among Adults Aged 18-64: United States, 2019 and 2020.

Oral health is an essential component of overall health and well-being (1,2). Along with good oral hygiene, an important factor of oral health is regular dental care (3). However, about 35% of adults aged 18 and over did not have a dental visit in 2019 (4), and predictors such as age, race, sex, and socioeconomic status were associated with delayed dental care among adults in the United States (5). In 2020, many dental practices limited their hours and services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic (6,7). This report uses data from the 2019 and 2020 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to describe recent changes in the prevalence of dental visits among adults aged 18-64.

Demographic Variation in Health Insurance Coverage:United States, 2020.

Objective-This report presents national estimates of different types of health insurance coverage and lack of coverage (uninsured). Estimates are presented by selected sociodemographic characteristics, including age, sex, race and Hispanic origin, family income, education level, employment status, and marital status.

Demographic Variation in Health Insurance Coverage: United States, 2019.

Objectives-This report presents national estimates of different types of health insurance coverage and lack of coverage (uninsured). Estimates are presented by selected sociodemographic characteristics, including age, sex, race and Hispanic origin, poverty status, education level, employment status, and marital status.

Urban-rural Differences in Dental Care Use Among Adults Aged 18-64.

Regular dental care can lower the risk for oral diseases, and studies have shown a connection between oral health and general health (1,2). However, in 2019 about 35% of adults aged 18 and over did not have a dental examination or cleaning (3). It has been shown that disparities exist in access and use of dental care, especially between rural and urban areas (4,5). In this report, urban-rural differences in dental care use, defined as a dental visit in the past 12 months, were examined among adults aged 18-64 by demographic characteristics.

Reasons for Being Uninsured Among Adults Aged 18-64 in the United States, 2019.

Previously published data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) reported that the percentage of uninsured adults aged 18-64 significantly decreased from 20.4% in 2013 to 13.3% in 2018 (1). Lack of health insurance has been associated with not receiving preventive services or screenings and may, in turn, lead to delays in disease diagnosis and poorer health outcomes (2). The 2019 NHIS included six questions for uninsured adults to better understand their reasons for currently being uninsured. This report describes the characteristics of uninsured adults aged 18-64 in 2019 and the percentage who identified with each of the six reasons for being uninsured. For the three most prevalent reasons, the percentage who identified with each reason is presented by selected demographic characteristics, and health status.

Trends in Number and Distribution of COVID-19 Hotspot Counties - United States, March 8-July 15, 2020.

The geographic areas in the United States most affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have changed over time. On May 7, 2020, CDC, with other federal agencies, began identifying counties with increasing COVID-19 incidence (hotspots) to better understand transmission dynamics and offer targeted support to health departments in affected communities. Data for January 22-July 15, 2020, were analyzed retrospectively (January 22-May 6) and prospectively (May 7-July 15) to detect hotspot counties. No counties met hotspot criteria during January 22-March 7, 2020. During March 8-July 15, 2020, 818 counties met hotspot criteria for ≥1 day; these counties included 80% of the U.S. population. The daily number of counties meeting hotspot criteria peaked in early April, decreased and stabilized during mid-April-early June, then increased again during late June-early July. The percentage of counties in the South and West Census regions* meeting hotspot criteria increased from 10% and 13%, respectively, during March-April to 28% and 22%, respectively, during June-July. Identification of community transmission as a contributing factor increased over time, whereas identification of outbreaks in long-term care facilities, food processing facilities, correctional facilities, or other workplaces as contributing factors decreased. Identification of hotspot counties and understanding how they change over time can help prioritize and target implementation of U.S. public health response activities.

Problems Paying Medical Bills, 2018.

Previously published data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) found that in 2017 one in seven persons under age 65 was in a family having problems paying medical bills (1). Significant expenses for one family member may adversely affect the whole family (2). People who are in families with problems paying medical bills may experience serious financial consequences, such as having problems with paying for food, clothing, or housing, and filing for bankruptcy (3). Health insurance coverage status (i.e., uninsured, public coverage, or private coverage) may also impact the ability to afford health care costs (4). This report examines characteristics of persons who live in families that have problems paying medical bills.

Electronic Cigarette Use Among U.S. Adults, 2018.

In 2018, an estimated 8.1 million U.S. adults were current electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) users (1). E-cigarette use is a public health concern (2), and it has been linked to a recent outbreak of lung injury and deaths among adults (3). Although the potential long-term health risks of e-cigarettes are not yet as well-known as they are with cigarettes, e-cigarettes usually contain nicotine, and nicotine is highly addictive (2). Moreover, the most common tobacco product combination among adults is e-cigarettes and cigarettes (4). This report examines e-cigarette use among U.S. adults aged 18 and over by selected sociodemographic characteristics and in relation to cigarette smoking status.

Strategies Used by Adults With Diagnosed Diabetes to Reduce Their Prescription Drug Costs, 2017-2018.

In 2018, 10.1% of adults aged 18 and over had diagnosed diabetes (1). The majority of those with diabetes take medication for this condition (2). Compared with those without diabetes, adults with diagnosed diabetes experience higher out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications (3) and cost-related, medication nonadherence behaviors (4). Adults have used several strategies to reduce the costs of prescription drugs, including not taking medication as prescribed and asking their doctor for a lower-cost medication (5). This report examines the percentage of adults aged 18 and over with diagnosed diabetes who used these selected strategies to reduce their prescription drug costs.

Eye Disorders and Vision Loss Among U.S. Adults Aged 45 and Over With Diagnosed Diabetes, 2016-2017.

Diabetes increases with age. In 2017, the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes increased from 13.2% among adults aged 45-64 to 20.1% among those aged 65-74 and 19.8% among those aged 75 and over (1). Compared with adults without diabetes, adults with diabetes are more likely to develop eye disorders and vision loss from eye disorders (2,3). Moreover, duration of diabetes is a risk factor for the progression of visual problems (3,4). This report compares the age-adjusted percentages of adults aged 45 and over with diagnosed diabetes who were told by a doctor or other health professional that they had cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or macular degeneration and vision loss due to these disorders, by years since their diabetes diagnosis.