Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) remain a public health priority, with prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease—the most common cause of dementia—among people aged 65 years and older living in the United States expected to grow to nearly 13.8 million people by 2060 (Alzheimer’s Association, 2023). ADRD are not normal aging; they impair memory and cognitive functioning, disrupting daily life. Over time, people with ADRD need increased assistance with basic activities of daily living and must rely on others for support, affecting family, friends, professional caregiving infrastructures, health and long-term care systems, and financial institutions designed to pay for care. In 2023, the formal cost of caring for people with ADRD to the health and long-term care systems in the United States is projected to total $345 billion (Alzheimer’s Association, 2023). Additionally, unpaid caregiving by family and friends was valued at nearly $339.5 billion in 2022 (Alzheimer’s Association, 2023). | | The lifetime cost of care for a person with Alzheimer’s disease was more than double the cost of care for a person without Alzheimer’s disease (Alzheimer’s Association, 2023). The total formal cost of ADRD care is projected to reach around $1 trillion in 2050 (Alzheimer’s Association, 2023; Zissimopoulos et al., 2014). These estimates do not consider the loss of quality of life for people with ADRD and their caregivers. It is imperative for the health of our systems and our population that public health address modifiable risk factors of ADRD.

Wearing a facemask can help to decrease the transmission of COVID-19. We investigated self-reported mask use among subjects aged 18 years and older participating in the COVID-19 Community Research Partnership (CRP), a prospective longitudinal COVID-19 surveillance study in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern United States. We included those participants who completed >=5 daily surveys each month from December 1, 2020 through August 31, 2021. Mask use was defined as self-reported use of a face mask or face covering on every interaction with others outside the household within a distance of less than 6 feet. Participants were considered vaccinated if they reported receiving >=1 COVID-19 vaccine dose. Participants (n=17,522) were 91% non-Hispanic White, 68% female, median age 57 years, 26% healthcare workers, with 95% self-reported receiving >=1 COVID-19 vaccine dose through August; mean daily survey response was 85%. Mask use was higher among vaccinated than unvaccinated participants across the study period, regardless of the month of the first dose. Mask use remained relatively stable from December 2020 through April (range 71-80% unvaccinated; 86-93% vaccinated) and declined in both groups beginning in mid-May 2021 to 34% and 42% respectively in June 2021; mask use has increased again since July 2021. Mask use by all was lower during weekends and on Christmas and Easter, regardless of vaccination status. Independent predictors of higher mask use were vaccination, age >=65 years, female sex, racial or ethnic minority group, and healthcare worker occupation, whereas a history of self-reported prior COVID-19 illness was associated with lower use. Copyright The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted medRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. This article is a US Government work. It is not subject to copyright under 17 USC 105 and is also made available for use under a CC0 license.

Isolation is recommended during acute infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, but the duration of infectiousness varies among individual persons. Rapid antigen test results have been correlated with detection of viable virus (1-3) and might inform isolation guidance, but data are limited for the recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant. On January 5, 2022, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC) recommended that persons with SARS-CoV-2 infection isolate for 10 days after symptom onset (or, for asymptomatic persons, 10 days after a positive nucleic acid amplification or antigen test result). However, isolation could end after 5-9 days if symptoms were resolving or absent, fever was absent for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications, and an Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag (BinaxNOW) rapid antigen test result was negative. Antigen test results and associated individual characteristics were analyzed among 3,502 infections reported to YKHC during January 1-February 9, 2022. After 5-9 days, 396 of 729 persons evaluated (54.3%) had a positive antigen test result, with a declining percentage positive over time. In a multivariable model, a positive antigen test result was more likely after 5 days compared with 9 days (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=6.39) or after symptomatic infection (aOR=9.63), and less likely after previous infection (aOR=0.30), receipt of a primary COVID-19 vaccination series (aOR=0.60), or after both previous infection and receipt of a primary COVID-19 vaccination series (aOR=0.17). Antigen tests might be a useful tool to guide recommendations for isolation after SARS-CoV-2 infection. During the 10 days after infection, persons might be infectious to others and are recommended to wear a well-fitting mask when around others, even if ending isolation after 5 days.

Recent reports suggest that routine childhood immunization coverage might have decreased during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (1,2). To assess the capacity of pediatric health care practices to provide immunization services to children during the pandemic, a survey of practices participating in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program was conducted during May 12-20, 2020. Data were weighted to account for the sampling design; thus, all percentages reported are weighted. Among 1,933 responding practices, 1,727 (89.8%) were currently open; 1,397 (81.1%) of these reported offering immunization services to all of their patients. When asked whether the practice would likely be able to accommodate new patients to assist with provision of immunization services through August, 1,135 (59.1%) respondents answered affirmatively. These results suggest that health care providers appear to have the capacity to deliver routinely recommended childhood vaccines, allowing children to catch up on vaccines that might have been delayed as a result of COVID-19-related effects on the provision of or demand for routine well child care. Health care providers and immunization programs should educate parents on the need to return for well-child and immunization visits or refer patients to other practices, if they are unable to provide services (3).

The Tenth International Conference on Methods and Applications of Radioanalytical Chemistry (MARC X) was held April 12–17, 2015 at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, United States. Having grown significantly since the first MARC conference in 1987, MARC X was attended by over 300 professionals and 80 students from the nuclear sciences and engineering. Attendees came from over 30 countries and two multinational organizations, demonstrating MARC continues to be an important international forum for reporting advances in radioanalytical chemistry. Overall, the quality of presentations was outstanding, and when combined with the relaxed environment of the conference, led to productive discussions and opportunities for scientific exchange. The keen foresight of the MARC founding organizers to create a topical meeting dedicated to all aspects of radioanalytical chemistry was highlighted in MARC X with sessions covering a broad range of both long-standing and emerging technical areas. These outstanding sessions were made possible by the hard work and dedication of the many session organizers who stimulated contributions from academia, government, and industry. | | A wide variety of topics were covered in the scientific program of MARC X including environmental radioactivity measurements, activation analysis, biology and medical applications, actinide analytical chemistry, radiation detectors and instrumentation, nonproliferation and safeguards, treaty monitoring, nuclear forensics, and radionuclide measurements using mass spectrometry.

BACKGROUND: During an influenza pandemic, to achieve early and rapid vaccination coverage and maximize the benefit of an immunization campaign, partnerships between public health agencies and vaccine providers are essential. Immunizing pharmacists represent an important group for expanding access to pandemic vaccination. However, little is known about nationwide coordination between public health programs and pharmacies for pandemic vaccine response planning. METHODS: To assess relationships and planning activities between public health programs and pharmacies, we analyzed data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention assessments of jurisdictions that received immunization and emergency preparedness funding from 2012 to 2015. RESULTS: Forty-seven (88.7%) of 53 jurisdictions reported including pharmacies in pandemic vaccine distribution plans, 24 (45.3%) had processes to recruit pharmacists to vaccinate, and 16 (30.8%) of 52 established formal relationships with pharmacies. Most jurisdictions plan to allocate less than 10% of pandemic vaccine supply to pharmacies. DISCUSSION: While most jurisdictions plan to include pharmacies as pandemic vaccine providers, work is needed to establish formalized agreements between public health departments and pharmacies to improve pandemic preparedness coordination and ensure that vaccinating pharmacists are fully utilized during a pandemic.

Adults are recommended to receive vaccines based on their age, medical conditions, prior vaccinations, occupation and lifestyle. However, adult immunization coverage is low in the United States and lags substantially below Healthy People 2020 goals. To assess activities and resources designated for adult immunization programs by state and local health department immunization programs in the United States, we analyzed 2012 and 2013 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Program Annual Reports and Progress Assessments (PAPA) survey of CDC-funded immunization programs. Fifty-six of 64 funded US immunization programs' responses were included in the analysis. Eighty-two percent of (n=46) programs reported having a designated adult immunization coordinator in 2012 and 73% (n=41) in 2013. Of the 46 coordinators reported in 2012, 30% (n=14) spent more than 50% of their time on adult immunization activities, and only 24% (n=10) of the 41 adult coordinators in 2013 spent more than 50% of their time on adult immunization activities. In 2012, 23% (n=13) of the 56 programs had a separate immunization coalition for adults and 68% (n=38) included adult issues in their overall immunization program coalition. In 2013, 25% (n=14) had a separate adult immunization coalition while 57% (n=32) incorporated adult immunizations into their overall immunization program coalition. The results indicate substantial variation across the U.S. in public health infrastructure to support adult immunizations. Continued assessment of adult immunization resources and activities will be important in improving adult immunization coverage levels though program support. With many programs having limited resources dedicated to improving adult immunization rates in the in U.S., efforts by the health departments to collaborate with providers and other partners in their jurisdictions to increase awareness, increase the use of proven strategies to improve vaccination of adults, and implement the Standards for Adult Immunization Practice may lead to improved adult immunization coverage and fewer illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths from vaccine preventable diseases.

A multi-agency workshop was held from 25 to 27 August 2009, at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to identify and prioritize the development of radioanalytical Certified Reference Materials (CRMs, generally provided by National Metrology Institutes; Standard Reference Materials, a CRM issued by NIST) for field and laboratory nuclear measurement methods to be used to assess the consequences of a domestic or international nuclear event. Without these CRMs, policy makers concerned with detecting proliferation and trafficking of nuclear materials, attribution and retribution following a nuclear event, and public health consequences of a nuclear event would have difficulty making decisions based on analytical data that would stand up to scientific, public, and judicial scrutiny. The workshop concentrated on three areas: post-incident Improvised Nuclear Device (IND) nuclear forensics, safeguard materials characterization, and consequence management for an IND or a Radiological Dispersion Device detonation scenario. The workshop identified specific CRM requirements to fulfill the needs for these three measurement communities. Of highest priority are: (1) isotope dilution mass spectrometry standards, specifically (233)U, (236g)Np, (244)Pu, and (243)Am, used for quantitative analysis of the respective elements that are in critically short supply and in urgent need of replenishment and certification; (2) CRMs that are urgently needed for post-detonation debris analysis of actinides and fission fragments, and (3) CRMs used for destructive and nondestructive analyses for safeguards measurements, and radioisotopes of interest in environmental matrices. (2012 Akademiai Kiado, Budapest, Hungary.)

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the administration of clindamycin to women with abnormal vaginal flora at <22 weeks of gestation reduces the risk of preterm birth and late miscarriage. We conducted a systematic review and metaanalysis of randomized controlled trials of the early administration of clindamycin to women with abnormal vaginal flora at <22 weeks of gestation. Five trials that comprised 2346 women were included. Clindamycin that was administered at <22 weeks of gestation was associated with a significantly reduced risk of preterm birth at <37 weeks of gestation and late miscarriage. There were no overall differences in the risk of preterm birth at <33 weeks of gestation, low birthweight, very low birthweight, admission to neonatal intensive care unit, stillbirth, peripartum infection, and adverse effects. Clindamycin in early pregnancy in women with abnormal vaginal flora reduces the risk of spontaneous preterm birth at <37 weeks of gestation and late miscarriage. There is evidence to justify further randomized controlled trials of clindamycin for the prevention of preterm birth. However, a deeper understanding of the vaginal microbiome, mucosal immunity, and the biology of BV will be needed to inform the design of such trials.