![The graphic says CDC Chief Medical Officer’s MMWR Clinical Pearls with an image of a woman with brown hair, blue shirt, and a gray blazer.](/mmwr/newsletter/cmo/2024/cms-images/header-image-1330x260-v2.png)
Newsletter
March 2024
Think Horses First
![Think Horses First The graphic is multiple horses galloping.](/mmwr/newsletter/cmo/2024/cms-images/Horses-890x325-1.png?_=24832)
Teen Substance Use
![Characteristics of Alcohol, Marijuana, and Other Drug Use Among Persons Aged 13–18 Years Being Assessed for Substance Use Disorder Treatment — United States, 2014–2022 A graphic with text about how clinicians can help address teen substance use with illustrations of teens doing healthy activities.](/mmwr/newsletter/cmo/2024/cms-images/social_media/mm7305a1_SubstanceUseAdolescents_IMAGE_08Feb2024_IMAGE_08Feb2024_1200x675.png?_=67260)
Read more on Teen Substance use
Excessive Alcohol Use
The average number of deaths per year from excessive alcohol use increased approximately 29% from 137,927 during 2016–2017 to 178,307 during 2020–2021. These include deaths from conditions that are partially (e.g., select cancers) and fully (e.g., alcoholic liver disease) attributable to alcohol. More men died, but the rate increased faster among women. Clinicians can support effective alcohol policies to create environments that help people drink less alcohol (e.g., increase alcohol taxes and regulate the number of places selling alcohol) and help adults be aware of their alcohol use and create a plan to reduce their drinking.
Don’t Forget Zebras
![Don’t Forget Zebras The graphic includes Zebras walking around grass.](/mmwr/newsletter/cmo/2024/cms-images/Zebras-890x325-1.png?_=24831)
Meningococcal Disease
Ciprofloxacin-resistant strains of Neisseria meningitidis have increased in the United States. CDC provides guidance to health departments for the preferential use of other prophylaxis options for close contacts. Rifampin, ceftriaxone, or azithromycin are recommended prophylaxis when two or more ciprofloxacin-resistant meningococcal disease cases are reported, and account for at least 20% of all cases reported in a local catchment area during a 12-month period.
Opportunities to Improve Clinical Outcomes
![Opportunities to Improve Clinical Outcomes The graphic includes five clinicians smiling.](/mmwr/newsletter/cmo/2024/cms-images/Clinicians-890x325-1.png?_=24832)
COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness
![Interim Effectiveness of Updated 2023–2024 (Monovalent XBB.1.5) COVID-19 Vaccines Against COVID-19–Associated Emergency Department and Urgent Care Encounters and Hospitalization Among Immunocompetent Adults Aged ≥18 Years — VISION and IVY Networks, September 2023–January 2024 A graphic with text explaining updated 2023–24 COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness.](/mmwr/newsletter/cmo/2024/cms-images/social_media/mm7308a5_Interim-Vaccine-Effectiveness-Clinicians_IMAGE_29Feb2024_1200x675.jpg?_=71028)
See current CDC recommendations about how your patients can stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
Did you know? Medscape & MMWR have FREE CME activities
![Medscape & MMWR have FREE CME activities The graphic is a clinician smiling.](/mmwr/newsletter/cmo/2024/cms-images/CE-890x325-1.png?_=24833)
Continuing medical education credits are available from Medscape on select MMWRs.
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