One of the things I actually look forward to each week is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. It bascially lists some of the scary stuff going on in the greater world. Just so we know. And sometimes, good news is included, such as lower death rates by car accident in urban areas.

Here are highlights from today's report:

• In the 50 largest U.S. metro areas, motor vehicle crash death rates were lower for all ages (8.2 deaths per 100,000 residents) compared to the nation (11.1 deaths per 100,000 residents) in 2009.
• During April 25–28, 2011, the third deadliest tornado disaster occurred in the southeastern U.S. despite modern advances in tornado forecasting, advanced warning times, and media coverage.
• An estimated 7.6 percent of pregnant women (or 1 in 13) and 51.5 percent of nonpregnant women (or 1 in 2) reported drinking alcohol in the past 30 days. Among pregnant women, the highest estimates of reported alcohol use were among those who were aged 35-44 years (14.3 percent); white (8.3 percent), college graduates (10.0 percent), or employed (9.6 percent).
• (S-R archives photo)

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