CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Staff Laid Off
Staff members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) responsible for its key publication, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), have been let go amid significant budget cuts within the Health and Human Services Department. This decision follows a government shutdown that began on October 1, 2023, and has led to widespread layoffs across federal programs, as outlined by the administration.
According to former editor-in-chief Charlotte Kent, nearly the entire staff of MMWR has been terminated. In her first public comments since leaving the agency in February, she emphasized the dire consequences of these cuts on public health communication. “What it really means is it is impossible to rapidly disseminate public health science for action,” Kent stated. “That would be critical if there’s a public health emergency.”
Impact of the Layoffs
The MMWR plays a crucial role in disseminating research primarily conducted by CDC scientists. The publication has been paused since the start of the government shutdown, hindering its ability to provide timely information essential for local and state health officials. Kent noted that the layoffs have rendered MMWR “essentially unable to publish,” raising serious concerns about the implications for public health.
Richard Besser, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and former acting director of the CDC, criticized the firings, stating, “These actions will leave health officials and communities in the dark on infectious disease threats and developments on issues ranging from vaccination to maternal mortality.”
Historically, MMWR has been a key source for significant public health notifications, including initial reports on the AIDS epidemic and the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic. Kent pointed out that MMWR has also addressed pressing issues, such as tracking lead poisoning in food products and reporting on the asymptomatic transmission of Covid-19.
Administration’s Approach to Public Health Communication
The recent layoffs are part of a broader trend observed since the beginning of the Trump administration, which has included interruptions in MMWR’s publishing schedule and pressure to alter how information is presented. Kent referenced a communication freeze that took place shortly after President Trump took office, a first in the publication’s history.
The implications of these changes extend beyond the immediate staff reductions. Kent expressed concern about the inability to report on critical health issues, such as cancer and coronary heart disease, stating, “We don’t have the mechanisms to describe that. It’s very concerning.”
The future of MMWR remains uncertain as the government shutdown continues, and the ability to inform the public during health emergencies hangs in the balance. The situation highlights the critical role that effective communication plays in managing public health crises and underscores the far-reaching consequences of budget cuts within health agencies.
