The Future of Public Health Data: Concerns Rise After CDC Restructuring
Recent changes within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are raising serious questions about the future of vital public health data collection and dissemination. Specifically, cuts to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) – and it’s flagship publication, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) – have sparked alarm among former employees and public health experts. This article delves into the implications of these changes,exploring what’s at stake for you,the American public,and the integrity of our nation’s health monitoring systems.
A Legacy under Threat: The Value of NHANES
For decades, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has been a cornerstone of public health understanding. This rigorous, ongoing survey provides a detailed snapshot of the health and nutritional status of Americans.
* NHANES data has directly informed critical public health interventions,like the removal of lead from gasoline and paint.
* It also led to the growth of the nutrition labels you see on food packaging today.
“NHANES is in a lot of places,” explains former NHANES employee Dr. Woodwell. “People don’t appreciate the value that it has added to the country for decades.” The survey’s strength lies in its meticulous protocols and the dedicated team that manages it – a team that has recently been considerably reduced.
Beyond informing broad policy, NHANES directly benefits participants. roughly 5,000 individuals participate each year, receiving valuable health data they might otherwise struggle to access. “We can see undiagnosed hypertension or diabetes,” Woodwell notes, “and provide them with health data that would cost them thousands of dollars.”
Recent Disruptions and the Reversal of Cuts to the MMWR
The situation came to a head recently when deep cuts were initially made to the MMWR, the CDC’s primary vehicle for disseminating public health details. These cuts were reversed just hours later, but the incident highlighted a concerning vulnerability. The MMWR is a critical resource for healthcare professionals, researchers, and the public, providing timely and accurate data on disease outbreaks, health trends, and more.
Concerns Over Data Integrity and Political Influence
The elimination of the NCHS communications office has further fueled anxieties. Former NCHS employee Dr. Lau fears the center’s ability to provide objective, nonpartisan data is now compromised.
Previously,reports underwent rigorous review by the NCHS Office of Science to ensure fidelity to the data. Now, information flows through a new clearance procedure at the CDC, raising concerns about potential political interference. Lau and colleague Jennifer Schoendorf point to recent federal public health recommendations on vaccines, fluoridation, and ultra-processed foods as potential examples of this influence.
You might also wonder how the CDC will track priorities of Health Secretary robert F.Kennedy Jr., such as obesity, nutrition, oral health, and environmental chemical exposure, given the restructuring.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
The reductions-in-force (rifs) have left many within the public health community deeply worried. As Lau succinctly puts it, “The RIFs may have left some parts of NCHS intact, but a car cannot drive missing a tyre or the steering wheel.”
The loss of experienced personnel and the potential for political influence threaten the very foundation of evidence-based public health. Without robust data collection and obvious dissemination,our ability to protect and improve the health of the nation is severely diminished.
Disclosure: STAT’s coverage of chronic health issues is supported by a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. Our financial supporters are not involved in any decisions about our journalism.
