Health of the Public

Recent Decline in U.S. Smoking Prevalence Stalls

Smoking Rates Vary Widely by Race, Ethnicity, Education

(11/19/2009) -- The United States likely will fall well short of the Healthy People 2010 objective of reducing the prevalence of cigarette smoking among adults to less than 12 percent. According to a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, or MMWR, article released Nov. 13, the proportion of U.S. adults who were cigarette smokers declined from 24.1 percent in 1998 to 19.8 percent in 2007. However, the figure increased to 20.6 percent in 2008. More

USPSTF Makes Sweeping Changes to Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations

Task Force No Longer Recommends Routine Mammograms in Women Ages 40-49

(11/18/2009) -- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, or USPSTF, has updated its recommendations for breast cancer screening with some significant changes, including a recommendation against routine screening mammography for women ages 40-49 who aren't at increased risk for breast cancer. More

New Report Sounds 'Call to Revolutionize Chronic Pain Care'

(11/11/2009) -- Chronic pain costs the United States more than $100 billion a year in direct medical costs and lost productivity, and it leads to more than 50 million lost workdays annually. That's according to a new report from the Mayday Fund that has been endorsed by the AAFP and more than 30 other professional medical organizations. More

AAFP Offers Guidance on FDA Tobacco Regulation

Agency Seeks Public Input on New Authority

(11/05/2009) -- The AAFP has weighed in with numerous suggestions to a July request from the FDA for public input on how the agency should implement its newfound authority to regulate tobacco. More

Analysis of Focus Group Findings Reveals Physician Concerns About Comparative Effectiveness Research

(11/03/2009) -- Comparative effectiveness research has become a pivotal term in Washington these days, particularly after the federal government passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which authorized $1.1 billion for comparative effectiveness research. Now an analysis of findings from six focus groups commissioned by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, or MedPAC, finds that although physicians think comparative effectiveness research studies are a good idea, their support for such studies depends on a number of factors. More

Manufacturer Recalls Millions of Insulin Syringes

Accusure Needles May Detach During Use

(10/28/2009) -- Qualitest Pharmaceuticals Inc. is recalling millions of its Accusure insulin syringes after receiving complaints that some needles have detached from the syringes. More

AAFP Garners Second MetLife Grant for Children's Books on Health, Well-being

Demand for Academy's 'F is for Fitness' Leading to New Materials

(10/23/2009) -- High demand for a children's book and DVD developed by the AAFP and distributed free to members beginning earlier this year will lead to a set of new books about physical activity, nutrition and emotional well-being in 2010. More

AAFP, Others Reiterate Need for Pregnant Women to Be Immunized Against Flu

Letter to Physicians Stresses Safety, Benefits of Vaccinations

(10/23/2009) -- The AAFP is again joining with other medical and public health organizations in an effort to emphasize the need for pregnant women to be vaccinated against novel influenza A (H1N1) and the seasonal flu. The Academy; the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or ACOG; the AMA; and the CDC have issued a joint letter asking physicians to urge their pregnant patients to get vaccinated. More