Current Health Fast Facts

When did "ADHD" start being called "ADHD"

1980s

How many research papers have been published using Sister Study data since September 2023?

300+

How long as acupuncture existed in some form?

at least 2,500 years

As of 2012, how many adults in the U.S. report using acupuncture?

6.4%

What ages are ADHD medications considered safe for as approved by the U.S. FDA?

Ages 6 and older

Since the Sister Study began 20 years ago, how many people have developed breast cancer?

9.1% of participants (4,628 cases)

What percentage of DNA do fruit flies share with humans?

about 60%

How many fatal vehicle crashes is drowsy driving estimated to be involved with

6,000+

What are hot flashes caused by?

Special chemical messengers in the brain that send signals to blood vessels to flush the skin, causing sweating

What percentage of women will have more than seven hot flashes per day during menopause?

10%

As of 2021, how many people aged 12 and older had an alcohol use disorder in the past year?

29.5 million

How many adults does Atrial Fibrillation affect in the United States?

more than 2 million

What did Andreas Rett do?

Published the first description of Rett syndrome in 1966

What did Dr. Koob do?

Coined the word hyperkatifeia to describe the negative emotional state associated with drug withdrawal.

What is the most common medical complaint of older Americans?

Pain

In 2018-2019, among adolescents in the U.S. ages 12-17, what percentage had a major depressive episode?

15.1%

How many Americans do autoimmune diseases affect?

23.5 million Americans

What was the first known prosthetic?

A wooden and leather toe found on an Egyptian mummy

When did the wooden and leather toe date back to?

950-710 B.C.

How many conditions do temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) include?

More than 30 conditions

How is "severe" hearing loss defined as?

Ability to only hear sounds once they are at least 71 to 91 decibels

How is "profound" hearing loss defined as?

Ability to only hear sounds at least 91 decibels

What shape are red blood cells that block blood flow through the body, causing recurring pain episodes?

"Sickle" shape

When both parents have sickle cell trait, what percentage chance do they have of having a baby with sickle cell disease with each pregnancy?

25% (1 in 4)

How may Psoriasis be triggered?

Stress, injury to the skin, cold weather, illness, allergies, or certain foods and alcohol

How many people does hearing loss approximately affect in the U.S.

37.5 million people

What is the ratio of people aged 65-74 affected with hearing loss?

1 in 3

What is the ratio of people aged 75+ affected with with hearing loss?

1 in 2

What is Epigenetics?

The study of changes in organisms caused by modifications of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself

How long have Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) been used in consumer products in the world?

Since about the 1950s

What did NICHD and Waltham researches partner together to explore?

The impact of interactions between animals and their human companions

What is the percentage of people diagnosed with migraines that have chronic migraines?

7.7%

Why should preventative screening of colon cancer be discussed with your doctor?

Because symptoms of colon cancer are no symptoms at all

What did Takuo Aoyagi do?

Invented the Pulse Oximeters in the mid-1970s. Inspired by the ear oximeters worn by military pilots in WWII to signal risks of hypoxemia.

What is the five-year survival rate for localized-stage colorectal cancer?

90.9%

T or F: Only people with light skin need to wear sunscreen?

F: All skin tones are at risk of sun damage and developing cancer.

What is the median age for colorectal cancer diagnosis?

66 years old

What age are most colorectal cancers diagnosed?

65 to 74

What are common triggers for those who suffer from migraine attacks?

Fermented foods such as aged cheeses, pickled foods, and alcohol

How many people does dementia likely affect?

More than 5 million people in the U.S.

What does research show about older adults that participate in hobbies?

Older adults who engage in personally meaningful activities live longer, are less likely to develop certain diseases, and are happier, less depressed, and more resilient

How many adults aged 45 and older feel lonely?

1 in 3

How many adults aged 65 and older are socially isolated?

1 in 4

How many types of mosquitoes are there?

More than 3,500

How percentage of children ages 5-15 have migraines?

10%

What is the app developed by NINDS to help teens understand possible causes of their migraine attacks and help create a management plan

Migraine Trainer

How long can a typical migraine attack last if not treated?

between 4 and 72 hours

How many hours of moderate physical activity do adults need per week

2.5 hours per week; about 20 minutes per day

How many children does childhood obesity affect in the U.S.?

1 in 5 children

What percentage of reported COVID-19 cases in the U.S. are in children under age 18

less than 20%

What can Long COVID be considered as?

A disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

In an NIH study of more than 8,000 women, what percentage reported gaining more than the recommended amount of weight?

73%

How many Americans are currently living with multiple sclerosis?

400,000

How many Americans reported having symptoms of anxiety during parts of the pandemic?

more than 1/3 of American adults

How many adults experience a mental illness in 2020?

1 in 5 adults but less than half of them received treatment for it

How many rare diseases are known in the world?

7,000

Less than a quarter of children ages ____ to _____ get _____ minutes of exercise each day

ages 6 to 17 get 60 minutes

What is leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the U.S.

Heart Disease

How many people are diagnosed with relapsing polychondritis each year?

3 people our of a million

What are people with underlying conditions at a greater risk of developing?

A greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19

How many people in the U.S. have asthma?

25 million

How many of the people who have asthma in the U.S. are children?

5.5 million

How many people does the flu kill each year?

more than 36,000 people

What percentage of children with food allergies also have eczema?

30%

Studies show that severe eczema in young children is associated with increased risk of developing _____ later in life.

asthma

What percentage of burns are heat-related?

86%

What percentage of burns are electrical?

4%

What percentage of burns are chemical burns?

3%

Below what temperature can increase the risk for developing hypothermia in poorly heated homes for older populations

Below 68 degrees F (20 degrees C)

How many people are affected by a rare disease?

1 in 10 people

What also has a tool for organizations like schools and workplaces and resources to help them develop and implement testing programs for COVID-19

When To Test

Who are at an increased risk for preterm birth?

Pregnant people with COVID-19

How often does Preeclapsia happen?

About 1 in 25 pregnancies in the U.S.

What can help protect the mother and their developing baby against serious disease during pregnancy?

Vaccines

What percentage of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes in the U.S.?

6-9%

How many more times likely are stillbirths among black women than among white women?

2x

What types of sex chromosomes do males and females have?

Males: X and Y

Females: X and X

What percentage of Americans aged 18 or older report having had a migraine or a severe headache in the last three months?

15%

How many more times are black women more likely to die of pregnancy-related causes than white women?

4x

What is the leading cause of death from disease among children?

Cancer

What age group are most cases of RMS diagnosed?

More than half in children under 10

How many children under age 20 are diagnosed with cancer each year in the U.S.?

about 15,000

What percentage do headaches account for of all emergency department visits?

3%

What foods can trigger migraines?

Alcohol, chocolate, cheese, and yeast

How long is the length of juvenile arthritis symptoms?

May last a few months or years, or throughout a child's life

When does Juvenile idiopathic arthritis happen?

In children and adolescents before they turn 16?

What is the difference between a sprain and a strain?

Sprain - A stretched or torn ligament, which connects bones at a joint

Strains - A torn muscle or tendon

What should sport injuries first be treated by?

R.I.C.E. Therapy

When are most people with cystic fibrosis diagnosed?

Before the age 2 (but some dx as adults)

What is the daily recommended amount of fruits and vegetables for adutls?

1.5-2 cups of fruit and 2-3 cups of vegetables

When can type 1 diabetes be developed?

Usually diagnosed in kids and teens but can develop at any age.

What group of people is hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, most common?

In women and in people over the age of 60

What do thyroid hormones affect?

A person's physical energy, temperature, weight, and mood

What type of cancer causes the most deaths in each year in the U.S than any other gynecologic cancer?

Ovarian Cancer

What is a women's risk of getting ovarian cancer during her lifetime?

1 in 78

What is the five-year survival rate for ovarian cancer?

49%

What is the second most common gynecologic cancer in the U.S.?

Ovarian Cancer

For roughly 70% of people with epilepsy, how can seizures be controlled?

With modern medicines and surgery

How many adults, kids, and teens in the U.S. live with epilepsy?

2.3 million adults and more than 450,000 kids and teens

Does having a seizure mean someone has epilepsy?

No