In its first two Vital Signs reports, published July 9, 2010, the CDC called attention to colon cancer and breast cancer screening rates—two key public health indicators. These reports compared results from a 2008 survey of adults ages 50 to 75, who are routinely recommended for colon and breast cancer screening, with results from previous surveys. The CDC says more Americans need to understand how helpful colon and breast cancer screening is. This article outlines some of the resources available to make screening easier.

A recent study found that many women, when given the option, would prefer home sample collection for chlamydia and gonorrhea testing over sample collection at a clinic or doctor's office and that those who preferred home-based collection were more likely to get screened than those who preferred clinic-based testing.

Hepatitis B and C are serious global health concerns. Programs are in place in both the US and other areas of the world with goals to increase awareness of these potentially serious infections. While several different types of laboratory tests are currently available to detect these diseases, researchers continue to work to develop faster, simpler, and more cost-effective tests. In June, two new rapid tests were given regulatory approval. So as Hepatitis B and C continue to be major health threats throughout the world because so many people do not know they have the disease, the simple yet effective design of these and other rapid tests may prove to be helpful in overcoming the barriers that prevent people from getting tested.

New guidelines from the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America and the Infectious Diseases Society of America suggest several improvements for preventing, recognizing, managing, and treating Clostridium difficile infections, including recommended changes in the types of laboratory tests used and the way that testing is performed in order to help detect C. difficile infections in a more timely manner.