Epidemiology Briefs

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency uses particulate matter as the term for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Sources of particulate matter include dust, smoke, pollen, animal dander, tobacco smoke, particles generated from combustion products, chemical emissions from cleaning and maintenance products, furnishings, building materials, floor coverings. Particulate matter can also be generated by tiny organisms such as dusk mites, molds, bacteria, and viruses.

This newsletter focuses on Prevention of Pregnancy Complications by obtaining early and adequate prenatal care, maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in safe food practices to prevent food poisoning, engaging in exercise, and abstaining from smoking and drinking alcohol.

The New Mexico Department of Health provides quality improvement services to promote best practices for immunizations. Measuring and tracking of immunizations allows for improvements to be made to immunization efforts for the protection of individuals and communities.

Examining socioeconomic disparities and their relationship with health outcomes is critical. Higher rates of poor health outcomes may be seen within populations residing in areas with lower levels of socioeconomic status, poor housing quality, and fewer overall resources.

Adult New Mexicans continue to be more likely than adults in the U.S. to meet recommended levels of aerobic physical activity. Overall, more adults in New Mexico meet physical activity recommendations than adults in the U.S. Physical activity has been shown to have numerous benefits such as reducing risk of chronic disease (heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia) as well as improving physical fitness, mental health, bone health, weight, and reducing risk of stroke.

New Mexico has the highest alcohol-attributable mortality rate in the nation. Some alcohol related causes of death are associated with chronic diseases such as liver cirrhosis, alcohol dependence as well as alcohol related injuries such as motor vehicle crashes, poisonings, falls, homicide, and suicide.