NEW YORK — A scientific journal published by the federal government made its return this Thursday after a two-week suspension, releasing two studies focused on the health impacts of wildfires occurring in Hawaii and California. This pause was initiated by the Trump administration as part of a broader freeze on regulations, institutional guidance, and communication from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), which had been silenced during this hiatus, is now back in circulation, though its absence created a wave of concern highlighted by public health advocates and some lawmakers. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois expressed his apprehension in a statement, asserting that outbreaks cannot be adequately addressed when scientific discourse is stifled.
Generally, MMWR publications range from 20 to 25 pages, featuring multiple reports on various health examinations and trends. However, the latest issue was notably more concise, totaling just over eight pages and containing two condensed reports.
One report focused on the devastating Maui wildfire from the previous year, where researchers evaluated the blood samples of roughly 180 firefighters and 80 additional county employees for the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These human-made chemicals are known to be linked to cancer and other serious health issues. Historical data suggest that firefighters often exhibit elevated levels of certain PFAS in their blood. Numerous firefighters have initiated legal proceedings against manufacturers of firefighting gear and foam due to exposure.
The study revealed that while firefighters exhibited higher levels of some PFAS in their blood, the concentrations mostly remained beneath a medical threshold that would necessitate further analysis. The authors admitted the absence of pre-incident baseline data, which complicates the assessment of whether the wildfire affected PFAS levels among the individuals studied.
The second study assessed emergency room visits during the wildfires that occurred in Los Angeles last month, noting a 9% drop in visits over the first week of the fires. This decline is consistent with earlier findings that report reduced ER visits following natural disasters, which may be attributed to evacuations or individuals seeking care outside of hospital settings. This report did not include data from hospitals located in adjacent counties.
This is the first time MMWR has observed a two-week interruption since its inception. Prior to this suspension, the CDC was poised to publish findings concerning a bird flu outbreak, but it remains unclear why these articles were not released. A spokesperson indicated that these publications are still forthcoming.
Dr. Tom Frieden, who led the CDC during the Obama presidency, expressed his satisfaction with the journal’s return, yet voiced his disappointment that it did not address pressing concerns, such as the bird flu outbreak or the new strain of mpox. Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, emphasized the need for more substantial content that provides vital data for researchers and health officials to make informed decisions.
Produced weekly since 1961, MMWR has served as a crucial communication platform for the CDC, detailing disease investigations, sharing health recommendations, and distributing vital health-related information. It boasts a subscription base of over 147,000, consisting primarily of healthcare professionals, researchers, and educators.
Historically, articles in MMWR have transitioned into major news events, such as the first documentation of what would later be identified as AIDS in 1981 and the initial reporting of the H1N1 “swine flu” pandemic in April 2009.
During the Trump administration in 2020, MMWR faced scrutiny over alleged political influences regarding the CDC’s scientific findings. Officials at the White House were reportedly concerned that the CDC’s communications were undercutting the administration’s stance on the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Charlotte Kent, who edited the journal at the time, later testified that officials attempted to delay a publication and requested the deletion of an email indicating political interference.
Dr. Frieden remarked that if political motivations dictate which health threats receive attention, public safety will invariably suffer. He expressed hope that the current administration recognizes the importance of Casey’s regular dissemination of health information without political barriers.
