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Research Links & Resources
Several federal databases that academics rely on for research and public health practitioners use for surveillance, metrics, and information have been removed from federal websites, paused, or changed.
The Data Rescue Project keeps a running tracker of completed & in process data backups, groups working on saving data, and a search bar for the site.
Pre-January 2025 CDC databases that have been restored can be accessed here.
The End of Term archive preserves U.S. Government websites at the end of presidential administrations. It contains websites from 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024.
Information Sources
Donald Trump’s NIH Pick Just Launched a Controversial Scientific Journal
By Emily Mullen and Matt Reynolds
A new open access ‘journal’ (Journal of the Academy of Public Health) was founded by recently confirmed NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya and FDA Director Marty Makary.
The article warns that the ‘journal’ may be used as a mouthpiece by the Trump Administration to tout pseudoscience. Indeed, one of the first articles describes a ‘Blueprint for NIH Reform.’ While it has some interesting ideas in it, there are also some really bad ones and it contains quite a bit of disinformation.
Angela Rasmussen, an American virologist and research scientist at the University of Saskatchewan, says she worries that the journal could be used to prop up and legitimize pseudoscientific and anti-public health views. “I don’t think this is going to give them any credit with real scientists. But the public may not know the difference between the Journal of the Academy of Public Health and the New England Journal of Medicine,” she says.
The Vaccine Integrity Project: a new backup plan? Your Local Epidemiologist April 29 2025
There are concerns that Secretary Kennedy will politically influence or change ACIP—the external committee for vaccine policy in the United States—which means the possibility of changing eligibility or access to vaccines. If this happens, it will be a mess. States will be on their own, insurance companies will be looking for third-party validation, and there would be a whole lot of confusion.
So, a shadow group was stood up University of Minnesota (called the Vaccine Integrity Project) backed by a philanthropic gift. This will be an eight-member committee to advise on vaccine protection, effectiveness, and recommendations outside of government.
What does it mean for you? The Vaccine Integrity Project won’t have formal authority. However, if ACIP’s role becomes politicized, it could serve as an important alternative. It’s another sign that public health groups are mobilizing to stay ahead of potential disruptions.
Environmental Health Perspectives – pauses consideration of new manuscripts
EHP, the premier environmental health journal, and the Journal of Health and Pollution, have announced that they are unable to consider new studies for publication, due to federal cuts. These journals have received funding from the National Institute of Environmental Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health, to assess and publish peer reviewed scientific studies on the health effects of environmental toxins – free of charge. April 23 2025
Deeper Dives and Engagement
Interested in information or impacts on specific topics? See below.
Sexual and Reproductive Justice, go to SRJ Hub website or follow the hub on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Preserving data – Data Rescue Project
Know your rights: check out the NY Civil Liberties Union
Have you received a stop work order? Add your research to the national list here.
Newsletters to Follow
Reliable sources to follow:
- Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE) is a public health newsletter with one goal: to “translate” the ever-evolving public health science so that people feel well-equipped to make evidence-based decisions. This newsletter is owned and operated by Dr. Katelyn Jetelina— an epidemiologist and mom. This is free to everyone, thanks to the generous support of fellow YLE community members. Click here to subscribe.
- The Common Health Coalition brings together America’s leading health organizations in pursuit of a reimagined health system: one in which the nation’s health care and public health systems no longer work in parallel, but hand in hand – with better health for all as the common goal. Their 2-4-2 Digest is a weekly snapshot for health leaders that highlights four key things to know, and can be read in less than two minutes or with two swipes on your phone. To subscribe click here.
Actions and Responses
Peer reviewed journals statements are releasing statements on their commitment to research and medical integrity: Damage Control in the Wake of Political Action That Threatens the Integrity of Medical Research | Annals of Internal Medicine; American Chaos: Standing Up for Health and Medicine| The Lancet
Over 200 college and university presidents (and growing) have signed a joint statement: A Call for Constructive Engagement | American Association of Colleges and Universities
See here for Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez’s letters to the CUNY community
