Public health experts are expressing concerns about access to important federal health data after some disease information was removed from government websites. Rebecca Boulos, executive director of the Maine Public Health Association, highlighted the importance of data in understanding public health trends and developing interventions. The U.S. CDC compiles data on various topics such as infectious diseases, vaccination rates, mental health, and substance use.
Some datasets that were removed have been restored, but others are still missing. This includes survey results on behavioral risks, HIV data, and the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. There is uncertainty about whether the Trump administration will continue to publish public health data, leading organizations to scramble to capture the data sets before they disappear completely.
Cynthia Cox, vice president of KFF, emphasized the importance of government data and expressed concern about the politicization of public health information. Cox highlighted how data is used in real-time situations, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, to target interventions where they are most needed.
The concern about data accessibility comes as the Senate has yet to vote on confirming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services. The Maine CDC is closely monitoring the situation and assessing access to various data sources as the federal administration settles in. Public health officials stress the importance of reliable data for addressing public health issues and responding to crises effectively.
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