In a new effort to address deficiencies in the federal public health infrastructure, two prominent organizations are uniting to establish an alternative to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s celebrated Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, commonly known as the “voice of the CDC.”
The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), in collaboration with the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), will launch “public health alerts” next month, as announced by CIDRAP Director Michael Osterholm at the IDWeek conference on Sunday.
“These alerts will essentially provide a platform for sharing timely information that was once disseminated through the MMWR,” Osterholm stated during the opening session of the gathering of infectious disease professionals, according to a recording shared by STAT. “We invite everyone to consider submitting reports on outbreaks or data that warrant evaluation. Your participation is greatly encouraged.”
A representative from NEJM mentioned that the alerts will be featured in a new section of its NEJM Evidence journal as required, rather than on a weekly schedule, and will be accessible at no cost. “In the upcoming weeks, we will unveil additional details regarding a rapid digital alert designed to disseminate vital data on disease outbreaks and other pressing public health matters,” she added, referencing the collaboration with CIDRAP.
The MMWR has been published weekly since 1952 and has played a crucial role in public health, traditionally serving as the primary source for initial reports on new outbreaks and emerging diseases. However, confidence among many public health practitioners in this publication has been eroded. During the initial months of the Trump administration, the publication of new articles was halted due to a communications pause, marking a historic moment as it missed its publishing schedule for the first time ever. The weekly issues faced additional interruptions amid the government shutdown, and earlier this month, many members of the journal’s team were dismissed before being reinstated shortly after.
Charlotte Kent, the previous editor-in-chief of the journal, departed in February. She had previously informed STAT that there were attempts by administration officials to influence the journal’s reporting practices.
A representative from the Department of Health and Human Services assured STAT that the agency “remains dedicated to the MMWR as the nation’s reliable source for timely and precise health information driven by science.”
CIDRAP has been stepping in to fulfill roles typically associated with federal responsibilities.
In April, the center initiated the Vaccine Integrity Project, which began producing its own vaccine evidence reviews after the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices was reorganized by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in June. Multiple professional organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, have released their own vaccine recommendations based on these reviews as well.
This week, Osterholm announced that CIDRAP has more initiatives planned as it seeks to strengthen public health systems during a time of diminished political backing. He stated that his center has turned to private foundations for funding to support eight graduate students.
“We all realize that undertaking any efforts requires resources. I am here tonight to inform you that various initiatives are in progress, and I am participating in several of them where over 65 foundations will collaborate to distribute resources aimed at safeguarding science,” he said at the conference. “This is a critical moment when the philanthropic sector must reevaluate its strategies and practices. It cannot be business as usual. … Tonight, I am pleased to announce that we will soon follow up with more than just words, but with financial support.”
Correction: This article has been revised to indicate that the public health alerts will be published in a new segment of NEJM Evidence. It has also been clarified that the Vaccine Integrity Project produces vaccine evidence reviews, not recommendations.
