The Final Report from the 2004 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey is now available from MEASURE DHS. Among the findings: child mortality has declined, but malnutrition is still widespread and immunization rates have dropped; fertility has declined; 12 percent of adults are HIV-positive; and domestic violence is examined for the first time.

This is the “final” report (PDF) from the DHIS of the NCES. Available statistics include selected health measures for adults 18 years of age and over, classified by sex, age, race and Hispanic origin, education, family income, poverty status, health insurance coverage, marital status, place of residence, and region. The topics covered are prevalence of selected chronic conditions, health status, functional limitations, health care access and utilization, health behaviors, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing.

In 2004, 62% of adults 18 years of age or over reported excellent or very good health. Sixty-two percent of adults never participated in any type of vigorous leisure-time physical activity, and 15% of adults did not have a usual place of health care. Twelve percent of adults had been told by a doctor or health professional that they had heart disease, and 22% had been told on two or more visits that they had hypertension. Twenty-one percent of all adults were current smokers, and 21% were former smokers. Based on estimates of body mass index, 35% of adults were overweight and 24% were obese.

Previously announced: Health of U.S. Adults (2004) - NHIS Report

Child malnutrition in Zimbabwe may be linked to HIV/AIDS, according to aid workers (IRIN News, May 10, 2006).

Many young cancer survivors do not receive optimal follow-up care to detect long-term consequences of cancer treatment, according to a Canadian study (Reuters Health, May 19, 2006).

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (Vol. 295 No. 17, May 3, 2006) found that British people are healthier than Americans. However, according to a kaisernetwork.org report (May 23, 2006), many of the apparent disparities can be attributed to different standards of testing and assessment.

Young adults are one of the largest and fastest-growing segments of the US population without health insurance, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Fund.

Commonwealth Fund report: Rite of Passage? Why Young Adults Become Uninsured and How New Policies Can Help (PDF, May 2006)

kaisernetwork.org Daily Health Policy Report: Young Adults Are Largest, Fastest-Growing Segment of U.S. Population Without Health Insurance, Study Says (May 24, 2006)

AP via San Francisco Chronicle: Young Adults Lacking Health Insurance  (May 23, 2006)

This is a provisional report (PDF) (final-due late Summer 2006) from the DHIS of the NCHS. The report presents statistics from the 2004 NHIS data set. Available statistics include selected health measures classified by gender, age, race, race and Hispanic or Latino origin, education, family income, poverty status, place of residence, region, and, where appropriate, health insurance coverage. The topics covered are health status and limitations of activities, special education or early intervention services, injuries and poisonings, health care access and utilization, and health insurance coverage.

Previously announced: Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Children, is a companion report.

Childhood cancer survivors are more likely than people without a cancer history to be unemployed as adults, according to a Dutch study (Child cancer survivors face employment troubles, CNN (Reuters), May 22, 2006).

2005 Statistics Tables are now available from the NCES. The Statistics Tables cover data from prekindergarten through graduate school. Topics include: numbers of institutions; teachers; enrollments; graduates; educational attainment; finances; federal funds for education; employment and income of graduates; libraries; and international comparisons.

Many Americans are not getting the care that could prevent serious conditions and save money, according to a new study (Study: Americans fail to get preventive healthcare, CNN (Reuters), May 23, 2006).