NEW YORK (AP) — After a mandated two-week break, a federal scientific publication made a comeback on Thursday with two studies delving into the health impacts of wildfires in Hawaii and California. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) restarted the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, which was halted by the Trump administration as part of a broader suspension on regulations, guidance, announcements, and communications.
Although the CDC has gradually reinitiated some of its communications and reports, the temporary silence of the MMWR raised concerns among public health leaders and lawmakers. Senator Dick Durbin from Illinois emphasized the importance of scientific discourse, stating, “Outbreaks cannot be contained if scientists are restricted from sharing their findings.”
Typically spanning 20 to 25 pages with multiple reports on disease investigations and health trends, this week’s MMWR edition was more concise, comprising just over eight pages with two brief reports.
The first study focused on the aftermath of a Maui wildfire, examining the blood of firefighters for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are associated with health issues including cancer. While firefighters showed elevated levels of some PFAS, most readings remained below the threshold for further testing. The second report analyzed emergency room visits during the recent Los Angeles wildfires, revealing a decrease of 9% over the initial six days, a trend observed following natural disasters.
The MMWR’s hiatus interrupted the anticipated coverage of the bird flu outbreak. Dr. Tom Frieden, former CDC director, expressed contentment over the journal’s return but highlighted the absence of articles on emerging health threats like the spread of bird flu. Dr. Georges Benjamin, from the American Public Health Association, called for more comprehensive reports to assist researchers and health officials in making informed decisions.
Established in 1961, the MMWR has long been hailed as the primary communication channel for important public health information from the CDC.
The agency provided detailed accounts of disease investigations, disseminated public health recommendations, and shared various health-related information without interruption for two weeks. The agency typically released its journal every Thursday, catering to a vast readership of over 147,000 electronic subscribers, primarily comprising doctors, nurses, educators, researchers, and public health scientists. The articles featured in the journal often made headlines in the general public domain.
In a significant historical context, a paper published in June 1981 shed light on a group of previously healthy gay men in Los Angeles who were afflicted with lung infections, marking the first documented report of what would later be recognized as AIDS. Fast forward to April 2009, when the journal unveiled the initial two cases of the H1N1 “swine flu” pandemic.
However, in 2020, under the first Trump administration, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) faced scrutiny over potential political interference with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) scientific endeavors. White House officials expressed concerns that CDC scientists were exaggerating the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic to undermine Trump’s administration.
Dr. Charlotte Kent, the journal’s editor at the time, later testified before Congress, revealing that administration officials had pressured her to postpone the publication of at least one article and instructed her to delete an email indicating political interference. In response, Dr. Tom Frieden, president of Resolve to Save Lives, a non-profit organization addressing international public health challenges, emphasized the detrimental impact of allowing political considerations to dictate the prioritization of health threats.
Looking ahead, Frieden expressed hope that the new administration would recognize the critical role of the CDC in disseminating weekly information on health threats, free from political influence. It is essential for safeguarding public health on a global scale.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department acknowledges the support of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. However, the AP bears sole responsibility for all content published.
