NEJM & CIDRAP Launch 'Public Health Alerts' to Rival CDC's MMWR

New journal aims to provide timely public health updates amid concerns over MMWR's reliability

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:58am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A translucent X-ray photograph revealing the intricate internal structure of a medical journal or public health document, with glowing, ghostly lines against a dark background, conceptually representing the need for an independent and transparent source of critical public health information.The launch of a new public health journal aims to provide an independent voice amidst concerns over political interference with established federal reporting.Charlotte Today

The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) is partnering with the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) to launch a new public health journal called 'Public Health Alerts', which will compete with the CDC's long-standing Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). The move comes amid concerns over recent disruptions and political interference with the MMWR.

Why it matters

The MMWR has long been the authoritative source for critical public health information, but recent events have raised questions about its reliability and independence. The launch of 'Public Health Alerts' is an effort to provide an alternative, independent channel for timely dissemination of public health data and insights.

The details

CIDRAP Director Michael Osterholm announced that 'Public Health Alerts' will begin publishing in the coming month, aiming to swiftly share information similar to the MMWR. This comes after the MMWR faced unprecedented challenges, including paused publication during the Trump administration, disruptions due to government shutdowns, and the former editor-in-chief's claims of political pressure to alter reporting methods. CIDRAP is also seeking to strengthen public health infrastructure through initiatives like the Vaccine Integrity Project, which offers alternative vaccine recommendations.

  • The MMWR has been published weekly since 1952.
  • Publication of the MMWR was paused for the first time in its history during the Trump administration.
  • CIDRAP announced the launch of 'Public Health Alerts' at the IDWeek conference in 2026.

The players

New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM)

A prestigious medical journal that is partnering with CIDRAP to launch the new 'Public Health Alerts' publication.

Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP)

A research and policy organization that is launching the 'Public Health Alerts' journal in partnership with NEJM, with the goal of providing timely and independent public health information.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The federal agency that has long published the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), which 'Public Health Alerts' aims to rival.

Michael Osterholm

The director of CIDRAP, who announced the launch of 'Public Health Alerts' and emphasized the importance of the new journal.

Charlotte Kent

The former editor-in-chief of the MMWR, who revealed that administration officials were pressuring the journal to alter its reporting methods.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This new publication aims to swiftly disseminate information, much like the MMWR was intended to do.”

— Michael Osterholm, CIDRAP Director

“The philanthropic world is stepping up to ensure the continuity of critical public health information, recognizing the urgent need for a robust and independent voice.”

— Michael Osterholm, CIDRAP Director

What’s next

CIDRAP is actively seeking funding from foundations to support graduate students and protect scientific endeavors, as part of its efforts to strengthen public health infrastructure.

The takeaway

The launch of 'Public Health Alerts' by NEJM and CIDRAP represents a significant effort to provide an alternative, independent source of critical public health information, amid concerns over the reliability and independence of the CDC's long-standing MMWR publication.