What the study found
Many U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) surveillance databases that had been updated at least monthly were paused or no longer current by late 2025. The authors describe these as “unexplained pauses” in the public evidence base used for health policy.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that real-time federal surveillance informs clinical guidance and public health policy, so long pauses may have compromised evidence for decision making by clinicians, administrators, professional organizations, and policymakers. They also suggest federal databases should have minimum transparency standards, including current update status, a reason if paused, and the next expected update with criteria for resumption.
What the researchers tested
The researchers audited the CDC public data catalog on 28 October 2025 to identify database records that had previously been updated at least monthly. They then used each database's stated periodicity, plus a 30-day grace period, to classify databases as current or paused, and they checked whether pauses persisted as of 2 December 2025.
What worked and what didn't
Of 1,359 catalog records examined, 82 had been updated at least monthly. Forty-four of those databases were current and 38 were paused; 34 of the paused databases had no data entries within 6 months of the analysis date, while 4 had paused more recently. Among the paused databases, 33 were vaccination-related, 4 of the remaining 5 focused on respiratory diseases, and 1 addressed public health drug overdose deaths; by 2 December 2025, only 1 paused database had been updated.
What to keep in mind
The summary provides an audit of CDC catalog records at two points in time and does not explain why the pauses occurred. The available abstract does not describe effects on specific policies or describe any limitations beyond what is implied by the catalog-based approach.
Key points
- The audit examined 1,359 CDC catalog records and focused on 82 that had been updated at least monthly.
- On 28 October 2025, 44 of those 82 databases were current and 38 were paused.
- Most paused databases had no data entries within the previous 6 months, and only 1 paused database had been updated by 2 December 2025.
- Most paused databases were vaccination-related; others mainly concerned respiratory diseases or drug overdose deaths.
- The authors say unexplained pauses may weaken evidence used for health decision making and public trust.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- CDC surveillance databases showed widespread unexplained pauses
- Authors:
- Jeremy W. Jacobs, Garrett S. Booth, Noel T. Brewer, Janet Freilich
- Institutions:
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt University
- Publication date:
- 2026-01-26
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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