Welcome to the NCHS monthly newsletter for key collaborators and partners. This newsletter provides updates on NCHS activities, publications, and media reports. Please send all questions and feedback to Hallie Andrews (HAndrews@cdc.gov) and share this information with your network. Email info@friendsofnchs.org to become a new member of the Friends of NCHS community.
New Release: NCHS Births Data Reports
NCHS recently released three Vital Statistics Rapid Release reports based on the latest provisional 2021 birth data.
Births: Provisional Data for 2021 reported a 1% increase in the number of births and the general fertility rate and the first increase in both measures since 2014. The report also showed a 4% rise in the preterm birth rate between 2020 and 2021.
Another report based on provisional data, Changes in Births by Month: United States, 2021, found that births declined 2% in the first six months of 2021 compared with 2020. In the second half of 2021, births rose 4% compared to 2020, with monthly increases June through December. This report includes detailed state-by-state comparisons between 2019, 2020, and 2021 data.
The third report using 2021 provisional data, Changes in primary and repeat cesarean delivery: United States 2016-2021, found that the rate of first-time cesarean deliveries rate fluctuated from 2016 to 2019, and then rose 4% from 2019 to 2021. The repeat cesarean delivery rate decreased by less than 1% each year from 2016 to 2021.
Many 2021 provisional estimates on other birth topics such as age-specific birth rates, payment source, and NICU admission are available through the Vital Statistics Rapid Release Natality Dashboard. Another dashboard, Maternal and Infant Characteristics Among Women with Confirmed or Presumed Cases of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) During Pregnancy, provides valuable data on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pregnancy in 14 states and the District of Columbia.
For final 2020 pregnancy and birth data, check out these links:
- Data Brief: Births in the United States, 2020
- Chartbook: Maternal Characteristics and Infant Outcomes of Women Born Inside and Outside of the United States, 2020
- National Vital Statistics Report: Trends and Characteristics in Gestational Diabetes: United States, 2016-2020
- Data dashboard: CDC WONDER—Natality Dashboard
Long-COVID Questions Added to Household Pulse
In June, NCHS began collecting Household Pulse Survey data on long-COVID, defined in the survey as symptoms of COVID-19 that lasted three months or more. The Household Pulse Survey is an ongoing collaboration with the U.S. Census Bureau to provide rapidly available data on emerging topics. These data will continue to be collected and released by NCHS.
These first data showed that one in five U.S. adults who had a previously known COVID-19 infection were still experiencing symptoms more than three months after the initial infection. Find additional findings on differences by sex, race and Hispanic ethnicity, age, and state here. Find other COVID-related data on NCHS’s COVID-19 data website, including data about functioning and disability, health insurance coverage, long-term care, and births and pregnancies.
Recent and Upcoming Publications
Released in July 2022:
| Publications | |
| Title | Select Findings |
| Assessing Anxiety and Depression: A Comparison of National Health Interview Survey Measures | A high level of agreement (about 90%) was observed between the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) compared to the Washington Group on Disability Statistics (WG) anxiety question set, and the Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale (PHQ-8) compared to the WG depression question set. |
| Urban-Rural Differences in Drug Overdose Deaths, 2020 | In 2020, the rate of deaths involving synthetic opioids, which includes fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, and tramadol, was higher in urban counties (18.3) than in rural counties (14.3). |
| National Hospital Care Survey Demonstration Projects: Characteristics and Mortality Outcomes of Opioid-Involved Hospital Encounters with Co-Occurring Disorders | A greater percentage of patients with co-occurring disorders died either at the hospital or within 1 year after discharge from any cause, as well as from a drug overdose. |
| Health Insurance Coverage: Early Release of Quarterly Estimates From the National Health Interview Survey, January 2021–March 2022 | Rates of uninsurance for Q1 of 2021 fell to 8% for individuals of all ages and all income levels. This is the lowest rate since the National Health Interview Survey began measuring health insurance estimates. |
| July 2022 Dashboard Updates | |
| Title | Dashboard Description |
| Interactive Quarterly Estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, January 2019 – March 2022 | This dashboard provides health statistics based on data from the 2019-2021 National Health Interview Survey for selected health topics for adults (18 and older). Select health topics include disability status, health care service use and accessibility, and cigarette and e-cigarette use. |
Upcoming Releases in August 2022:
| Release Date | Title |
| 8/2/2022 | Physical, Speech, Rehabilitative, or Occupational Therapy Use Among Adults Aged 25–64 by Veteran Status: United States, 2019–2020 |
| 8/4/2022 | Fetal Mortality: United States, 2020 |
| 8/8/2022 | United States Life Tables, 2020 |
| 8/11/2022 | Organized Sports Participation Among Children Aged 6–17 Years: United States, 2020 |
| 8/23/2022 | U.S. State Life Tables, 2020 |
| 8/31/2022 | Provisional Life Expectancy Estimates for 2021 |
QuickStats: Age-Adjusted Drug Overdose Death Rates Among Workers Aged 16–64 Years in Usual Occupation Groups with the Highest Drug Overdose Death Rates — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2020
In 2020, the age-adjusted drug overdose death rate among workers with paid, civilian usual occupations was 42.1 deaths per 100,000. Drug overdose death rates were highest among workers in the following occupations: construction and extraction (162.6); food preparation and serving related (117.9); personal care and service (74.0); transportation and material moving (70.7); building and grounds cleaning and maintenance (70.0); and installation, maintenance, and repair (69.9).
Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality Data. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/deaths.htm