The Eye Diseases Prevalence Research Group* Objectives: To estimate the cause-specific prevalence and distribution of blindness and low vision in the United States by age, race/ethnicity, and gender, and to estimate the change in these prevalence figures over the next 20 years. Methods: Summary prevalence estimates of blindness (both according to the US definition of Յ6/60 [Յ20/200] best-corrected visual acuity in the better-seeing eye and the World Health Organization standard of Ͻ6/120 [Ͻ20/ 400]) and low vision (Ͻ6/12 [Ͻ20/40] best-corrected vision in the better-seeing eye) were prepared separately for black, Hispanic, and white persons in 5-year age intervals starting at 40 years. The estimated prevalences were based on recent population-based studies in the United States, Australia, and Europe. These estimates were applied to 2000 US Census data, and to projected US population figures for 2020, to estimate the number of Americans with visual impairment. Cause-specific prevalences of blindness and low vision were also estimated for the different racial/ethnic groups. Results: Based on demographics from the 2000 US Census, an estimated 937000 (0.78%) Americans older than 40 years were blind (US definition). An additional 2.4 million Americans (1.98%) had low vision. The leading cause of blindness among white persons was age-related macular degeneration (54.4% of the cases), while among black persons, cataract and glaucoma accounted for more than 60% of blindness. Cataract was the leading cause of low vision, responsible for approximately 50% of bilateral vision worse than 6/12 (20/40) among white, black, and Hispanic persons. The number of blind persons in the US is projected to increase by 70% to 1.6 million by 2020, with a similar rise projected for low vision. Conclusions: Blindness or low vision affects approximately 1 in 28 Americans older than 40 years. The specific causes of visual impairment, and especially blindness, vary greatly by race/ethnicity. The prevalence of visual disabilities will increase markedly during the next 20 years, owing largely to the aging of the US population.

IntroductionThe Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) is a community-based self-management education program designed to help participants gain confidence (self-efficacy) and skills to better manage their chronic conditions; it has been implemented worldwide. The objective of this meta-analysis was to quantitatively synthesize the results of CDSMP studies conducted in English-speaking countries to determine the program’s effects on health behaviors, physical and psychological health status, and health care utilization at 4 to 6 months and 9 to 12 months after baseline.MethodsWe searched 8 electronic databases to identify CDSMP-relevant literature published from January 1, 1999, through September 30, 2009; experts identified additional unpublished studies. We combined the results of all eligible studies to calculate pooled effect sizes. We included 23 studies. Eighteen studies presented data on small English-speaking groups; we conducted 1 meta-analysis on these studies and a separate analysis on results by other delivery modes.ResultsAmong health behaviors for small English-speaking groups, aerobic exercise, cognitive symptom management, and communication with physician improved significantly at 4- to 6-month follow-up; aerobic exercise and cognitive symptom management remained significantly improved at 9 to 12 months. Stretching/strengthening exercise improved significantly at 9 to 12 months. All measures of psychological health improved significantly at 4 to 6 months and 9 to 12 months. Energy, fatigue, and self-rated health showed small but significant improvements at 4 to 6 months but not at 9 to 12 months. The only significant change in health care utilization was a small improvement in the number of hospitalization days or nights at 4 to 6 monthsConclusionSmall to moderate improvements in psychological health and selected health behaviors that remain after 12 months suggest that CDSMP delivered in small English-speaking groups produces health benefits for participants and would be a valuable part of comprehensive chronic disease management strategy.

To estimate the US prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) among persons with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: Prevalence data from the New Jersey 725 and Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy were used to estimate the prevalence of DR by age, gender, and race among persons 18 years and older having type 1 DM diagnosed before age 30 years. Severity of DR was determined via masked grading of 7-field stereoscopic fundus photographs. Any DR was defined as retinopathy severity level of 14 or more; and visionthreatening retinopathy, as retinopathy severity level of 50 or more, the presence of clinically significant macular edema, or both. The estimates of the prevalence of DR among persons with type 1 DM were applied to the estimated number of persons with type 1 DM diagnosed before age 30 years in the 2000 US population to obtain prevalence estimates of DR due to type 1 DM in the general population. Results: Among 209 million Americans 18 years and older, an estimated 889000 have type 1 DM diagnosed before age 30 years. Among persons with type 1 DM, the crude prevalences of DR of any level (74.9% vs 82.3% in black and white persons, respectively) and of visionthreatening retinopathy (30.0% vs 32.2%, respectively) are high. The prevalence of DR due to type 1 DM diagnosed before age 30 years in the general population 18 years and older is estimated at 767000 persons having DR of any level (0.37%), and 376000 persons having vision-threatening retinopathy (0.18%). Conclusion: Retinopathy due to type 1 DM is an important public health problem in the United States, affecting 1 per 300 persons 18 years and older, and 1 per 600 persons with advanced, vision-threatening retinopathy.

Integrating voluntary long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods within postabortion care (PAC) in Guinea has increased LARC uptake among PAC clients, compared with non-PAC clients. With aid from government champions and leveraging of resources, Guinea has incorporated PAC into national policies and guidelines and trained providers on PAC and LARCs to expand service provision.

Exploratory study findings suggest that these interventions tolerate some variability in implementation factors. Further work is needed to identify key elements where fidelity is essential for intervention effectiveness.