CDC Researchers Miss Key Conference Due to Government Shutdown
ATLANTA — This week, CDC researchers are notably absent from an important conference on infectious diseases—IDWeek—because the ongoing government shutdown has halted their participation. It’s quite a missed opportunity, especially following recent surges in diseases like measles and whooping cough in the U.S.
IDWeek, which is the largest annual gathering of infectious disease specialists in the country, serves as a major platform for experts to share knowledge on various health threats, including bird flu, superbugs, and HIV.
Typically, the CDC brings a significant number of researchers and experts to these events. However, of the hundreds of speakers listed for the four-day conference, only about ten were identified as coming from the CDC, and ultimately, none were able to attend.
The root cause of this situation is the government shutdown that began on October 1. Without funding from federal budgets, scientists are not receiving pay, and appearances at conferences are postponed unless covered by alternative sources.
Concerns Arose Before the Shutdown
Interestingly, the Infectious Disease Society of America and its partners had decided to host this conference in Atlanta—home to the CDC—over a year ago. The organizers were eager to hold the meeting in a prominent public health center, and CDC officials had initially committed to being actively involved in the preparations, according to Dr. Yohei Doi, a researcher from the University of Pittsburgh.
However, following the inauguration of President Trump, there was an immediate, albeit temporary, halt to CDC communications and their participation in medical meetings. This was soon followed by layoffs and cuts to research funding.
“As things evolved, it became clear that CDC speakers could no longer attend,” Doi noted.
Emerging Disease Threats
The absence of CDC experts is particularly striking given the rising demand for infectious disease specialists. Not only has a significant pandemic impacted the globe just a few years ago, but there are also increasing cases of measles and whooping cough. Plus, there are constant new threats emerging.
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has indicated that he wants the CDC to focus primarily on infectious diseases, which is somewhat surprising considering his previous role as a prominent figure in the anti-vaccine movement before his appointment to lead federal health agencies.
To add to the challenges, the CDC has already seen a reduction of about a quarter of its workforce through layoffs and resignations. The administration’s proposals to cut hundreds more positions were temporarily blocked by a federal judge.
“It’s the most painful irony to witness these governmental actions at such a critical time,” expressed Michael Osterholm, a researcher from the University of Minnesota. He spoke at the conference this past Sunday and mentioned that he is collaborating with others to fill the gaps left by the CDC’s reduced capabilities.
Osterholm has introduced a new publication, Public Health Alerts, intended to share reports that were once a staple of the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Additionally, a network of foundations is working together to fund disease research that the government has halted.
“This isn’t just business as usual anymore, but it doesn’t mean we can sit back,” he emphasized.
Conflicts with HHS Policy
Compounding the issues, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has reportedly discouraged federal collaborations with certain medical organizations, including the IDSA. This likely contributed to the current challenges, according to Dr. Debra Houry, who resigned as CDC’s chief medical officer in August to protest the agency’s changes.
An HHS spokesperson indicated that the administration expects federal scientists to share their research and expertise while ensuring compliance with ethics rules and responsible use of taxpayer funds at conferences.
Dr. Anna Yousaf, an infectious disease doctor at the CDC, was invited to present findings about the long-term effects of COVID-19 in children but was unable to attend this week’s conference. A collaborator from a different organization planned to present the research instead.
Unfortunately, it seems that other CDC scientists found themselves in similar situations, and it’s uncertain how many could find alternative ways to share their findings. This absence might lead to some crucial research not reaching the people who could benefit from it.
Currently on furlough due to the government shutdown, Yousaf expressed her frustrations: “It seems like the goal of HHS is to suppress the dissemination of scientific information. It’s absurd.”
