Alcohol-attributable mortality among American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States, 1999-2009.

Objectives: We describe the relative burden of alcohol-attributable death among American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) in the United States.

Methods: National Death Index records were linked with Indian Health Service (IHS) registration records to identify AI/AN deaths misclassified as non-AI/AN. We calculated age-adjusted alcohol-attributable death rates from 1999 to 2009 for AI/AN and White persons by sex, age, geographic region, and leading causes; individuals of Hispanic origin were excluded.

Unintentional injury mortality among American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States, 1990-2009.

Objectives: We describe the burden of unintentional injury (UI) deaths among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations in the United States.

Methods: National Death Index records for 1990 to 2009 were linked with Indian Health Service registration records to identify AI/AN deaths misclassified as non-AI/AN deaths. Most analyses were restricted to Contract Health Service Delivery Area counties in 6 geographic regions of the United States.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis with Mycobacterium avium complex among spa workers.

Background: The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) investigated the cause of two cases of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) in spa maintenance workers with laboratory confirmed Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). The investigation occurred in tandem with worker protection and swimming pool regulatory investigations by the New Mexico Environment Department at the spa where the workers were employed.

Objectives: The investigation was conducted in order to identify unreported cases, exposure source(s), and to prevent further worker exposure.

Does outpatient laboratory testing represent influenza burden and distribution in a rural state?

Background: Laboratory testing results are often used to monitor influenza illness in populations, but results may not be representative of illness burden and distribution, especially in populations that are geographically, socioeconomically, and racially/ethnically diverse.

Objectives: Descriptive epidemiology and chi-square analyses using demographic, geographic, and medical condition prevalence comparisons were employed to assess whether a group of individuals with outpatient laboratory-confirmed influenza illness during September-November 2009 represented the burden and distribution of influenza illness in New Mexico (NM).

Patients/methods: The outpatient group was identified via random selection from those with positive influenza tests at NM laboratories.

Risk factors for 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1)-related hospitalization and death among racial/ethnic groups in New Mexico.

Objectives: We assessed risk factors for 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1)-related hospitalization, mechanical ventilation, and death among New Mexico residents.

Methods: We calculated population rate ratios using Poisson regression to analyze risk factors for H1N1-related hospitalization. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of hospitalizations during September 14, 2009 through January 13, 2010, using logistic regression to assess risk factors for mechanical ventilation and death among those hospitalized.

Persistent neuropsychological impairment associated with West Nile virus infection.

West Nile virus infection can result in prolonged subjective complaints of cognitive and functional decline even in the absence of a neuroinvasive form of infection. Persistent cognitive and functional complaints could be a result of general somatic symptoms, emotional distress, or residual central nervous system damage or dysfunction. Most studies of cognition in postacute West Nile virus infection rely on self-report.

Enhancement of influenza surveillance with aggregate rapid influenza test results: New Mexico, 2003-2007.

Objectives: We sought to determine whether monitoring rapid influenza laboratory tests improved the influenza-like illness surveillance already in place in New Mexico.

Methods: For the past 3 influenza seasons, the New Mexico Department of Health examined influenza-like illness visits and positive rapid influenza test results.

Results: The proportion of positive rapid influenza test results started to rise earlier than did the percentage of clinical visits because of influenza-like illness in each of the past 3 influenza seasons: 5 weeks earlier during the 2004-2005 season; 3 weeks earlier in 2005-2006; and 2 weeks earlier in 2006-2007.

Outbreak of cystoscopy related infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa: New Mexico, 2007.

Purpose: Personnel at the New Mexico Department of Health investigated a Pseudomonas aeruginosa outbreak potentially associated with outpatient cystoscopy performed by a urologist during January 1 to April 22, 2007.

Materials And Methods: We compared infection rates with baseline rates, reviewed infection control procedures and performed environmental sampling at the urologist office. We also performed a case-control study.

Unauthorized border crossings and migrant deaths: Arizona, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas, 2002-2003.

Objectives: We examined the major causes of and risk factors for death among migrants who died while making unauthorized border crossings into the United States from Mexico.

Methods: Decedents were included in the study if (1) their remains were found between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2003, in any US county along the 650-mi (1040-km) section of the US-Mexican border from Yuma, Ariz, to El Paso, Tex; (2) their immigration status was unauthorized; and (3) they were believed to have died during transit from Mexico to the United States. Characteristics of the decedents and causes of and risk factors for their deaths were examined.

Assessment of urinary metals following exposure to a large vegetative fire, New Mexico, 2000.

Introduction: In May 2000, a vegetative fire burned 47,000 acres in northern New Mexico, including 7500 acres of land administered by the Los Alamos National Laboratory. We evaluated potential human exposures from the fire.

Methods: We surveyed two populations (firefighters and the general population) in four cities for urine heavy metal concentrations.

Results from the fielding of the Bio-surveillance Analysis, Feedback, Evaluation and Response (B-SAFER) system in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Public health authorities need a surveillance system that is sensitive enough to detect a disease outbreak early to enable a proper response. In order to meet this challenge we have deployed a pilot component-based system in Albuquerque, NM as part of the National Biodefense Initiative (BDI). B-SAFER gathers routinely collected data from healthcare institutions to monitor disease events in the community.

Methodological issues in the surveillance of poisoning, illicit drug overdose, and heroin overdose deaths in new Mexico.

New Mexico leads the nation in poisoning mortality, which has increased during the 1990s in New Mexico and the United States. Most of this increase has been due to unintentional deaths from illicit drug overdoses. Medical examiner and/or vital statistics data have been used to track poisoning deaths.

U.S. medical students' rotations in epidemiology and public health at state and local health departments.

Elective rotations in health departments expose medical students to public health practice and career opportunities in applied epidemiology and preventive medicine. State and county epidemiologists and health officers can serve as excellent role models for medical students. In 2000-2001, the authors identified such electives by consulting medical schools' Web sites and by contacting state epidemiologists, teachers of preventive medicine, and medical school associate deans.