Across all groups, the percentage of mothers who start and continue breastfeeding is rising, according to a report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). From 2000 to 2008, mothers who started breastfeeding increased more than 4 percentage points.

Original title: “More Mothers are Breastfeeding - Press Release”

Adults with some form of mental illness have a smoking rate 70 percent higher than adults with no mental illness, according to a Vital Signs report.

Original title: “Smoking among those with Mental Illness”

The CDC and NIH will cohost in coordination with American Public Health Association (APHA), National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), and Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), a two-day symposium "Extreme Weather, Climate and Health: Putting Science into Practice." This meeting is an opportunity for the research community and health departments to learn from each other about preparing for and responding to climate change.

Original title: “Climate and Health Symposium Puts Science into Practice”

A new CDC paper, "Attribution of Foodborne Illnesses, Hospitalizations, and Deaths to Food Commodities By Using Outbreak Data, United States, 1998-2008" is being published in the Emerging Infectious Diseases journal. For the first time, CDC developed a comprehensive set of estimates using data from more than a decade of foodborne disease outbreaks and previously published estimates on how many illnesses can be attributed to each food category.

Original title: “CDC releases first estimates of the food sources of all foodborne illnesses acquired in the United States”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will host a telephone-only media briefing Tuesday, January 29, to provide up-to-date figures on the number of adults in the U.S. who receive recommended vaccines other than the influenza vaccine.

Original title: “Telebriefing on U.S. Adult Vaccination Rates”

The first set of national prevalence data on intimate partner violence (IPV), sexual violence (SV), and stalking victimization by sexual orientation was released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The study found that lesbians and gay men reported IPV and SV over their lifetimes at levels equal to or higher than those of heterosexuals; with sexual orientation based on respondents' identification at the time of the survey.

Original title: “CDC releases data on interpersonal and sexual violence by sexual orientation”

Telebriefing on Flu Season and Vaccine Effectiveness

Original title: “Press Briefing Transcript”

CDC will host a telebriefing to provide an update on the 2012-2013 influenza season.

Original title: “CDC Update: 2012-2013 Influenza Season”

Binge drinking is a dangerous behavior but is not widely recognized as a women's health problem. CDC's latest Vital Signs report shows that nearly 14 million U.S. women binge drink about three times a month, and consume an average of six drinks per binge. Binge drinking is defined as consuming four or more drinks on an occasion for women and girls.

Original title: “Binge Drinking among Women and High School Girls - Digital Press Kit”

Binge drinking is a dangerous behavior that can lead to tragic circumstances. It's not often recognized as a women's health problem but nearly 14 million U.S. women binge drink about three times a month, and consume an average of six drinks per binge, according to a Vital Signs report released today from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Original title: “Binge drinking is an under-recognized problem among women and girls - Press Release”

CDC will host a telephone-only media availability to discuss the new Vital Signs report on binge drinking among women and high school girls.

Original title: “CDC Telebriefing on Vital Signs Report on Binge Drinking among Women and Girls”

Younger women (30 and younger) are getting screened consistent with newer national recommendations, according to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In a second study, CDC reported that 60 percent of women continue to get Pap tests even after having a total hysterectomy. The two studies are published in today's issue of CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Original title: “More women getting Pap tests as recommended - Press Release”

The holidays are a time to celebrate, give thanks, and reflect. Give the gift of health and safety to yourself and others this holiday season by paying special attention to your health.

Original title: “Give the Gift of Health and Safety: Healthy Living Holiday Tips”

More than 150,000 patients have been impacted by unsafe injection practices since 2001. Breakdowns in proper infection control often involve providers reusing needles, syringes or single-dose medication vials, all of which are meant for one patient and one procedure.

Original title: “The Impact of Unsafe Injection Practices in U.S. Healthcare Settings”

Young people between the ages of 13 and 24 represent more than a quarter of new HIV infections each year (26 percent) and most of these youth living with HIV (60 percent) are unaware they are infected, according to a Vital Signs report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The most-affected young people are young gay and bisexual men and African-Americans, the report says.

Original title: “HIV Among Youth”

Young people between the ages of 13 and 24 represent more than a quarter of new HIV infections each year (26 percent) and most of these youth living with HIV (60 percent) are unaware they are infected, according to a Vital Signs report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The most-affected young people are young gay and bisexual men and African-Americans, the report says.

Original title: “More than half of young HIV-infected Americans are not aware of their status - Press Release”

CDC will host a telephone-only media briefing to discuss the new Vital Signs report on the impact of HIV among young people in the U.S. The new report looks at data on new HIV infections, testing, and risk behaviors among young people between the ages of 13 and 24.

Original title: “CDC Telebriefing on Vital Signs Report: HIV Infection, Testing, and Risk Behaviors among Youths-United States - Media Advisory”

Air pollution from secondhand smoke five times higher outside smoking rooms and other designated smoking areas than in smoke-free airports.

Original title: “Secondhand smoke inside airports puts air travelers and employees at risk”

Black women have higher death rates from breast cancer than any other racial or ethnic group. They are 40 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, according to a Vital Signs report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Original title: “Disparities in breast cancer continue among U.S. women - Press Relase”

Black women have higher death rates from breast cancer than any other racial or ethnic group. They are 40 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, according to a Vital Signs report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Original title: “Racial Disparities in Breast Cancer Severity - Digital Press Kit”