Challenges of infectious diseases in the USA

Abstract

In the USA, infectious diseases continue to exact a substantial toll on health and health-care resources. Endemic diseases such as chronic hepatitis, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections affect millions of individuals and widen health disparities. Additional concerns include health-care-associated and foodborne infections--both of which have been targets of broad prevention efforts, with success in some areas, yet major challenges remain. Although substantial progress in reduction of the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases has been made, continued cases and outbreaks of these diseases persist, driven by various contributing factors. Worldwide, emerging and reemerging infections continue to challenge prevention and control strategies while the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance needs urgent action. An important priority for control of infectious disease is to ensure that scientific and technological advances in molecular diagnostics and bioinformatics are well integrated into public health. Broad and diverse partnerships across governments, health care, academia, and industry, and with the public, are essential to effectively reduce the burden of infectious diseases.

Figure 1

US pertussis cases reported between 1922 and 2013* DTP=diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and whole-cell pertussis vaccine. DtaP=diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine, adsorbed. Tdap=tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccine, adsorbed. *2013 data are provisional. Data source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, Supplemental Pertussis Surveillance System 1922–49, passive reports to the Public Health Service (http://www.cdc.gov/nndss).

Figure 2

West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease incidence in the USA, 1999–2013 Incidence reported to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) every year. Data source: ArboNET, Arboviral Diseases Branch, CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/resources/pdfs/cummulative/99_2013_neuroinvasiveHumanCases.pdf).

Figure 3

Percentage of gonorrhoea specimens with reduced cephalosporin antibiotic susceptibility, 2006–12 MIC=minimum inhibitory concentrations. *Cefixime susceptibility not tested during 2007–08. Data source: Gonococcal Isolate Surveillance Project (http:/www.cdc.gov/STd/gisp/default.htm).