UNEXPLAINED pauses in CDC surveillance databases may weaken evidence, clinicians and policymakers utilize for frontline judgements.
Audit Of the CDC Public Data Catalog
A team of researchers reviewed the CDC public data catalog to understand reports of unexplained pauses in real time federal surveillance. On October 28, 2025, they examined 1,359 catalog records and identified 82 databases that had previously been updated at least monthly. Using each database’s stated update schedule, plus a 30-day grace period, the authors classified databases as current or paused as of the audit date.
Just over half of these routinely updated databases were current, while nearly half were paused. Specifically, 44 databases (54%) were current and 38 (46%) were paused. Among paused databases, 34 (89%) had no data entries dated within 6 months of the analysis, indicating prolonged gaps rather than short delays.
Unexplained Pauses in CDC Surveillance Cluster in Vaccination Data
The paused databases were not evenly distributed by topic. Most pauses affected vaccination related surveillance. Of the 38 paused databases, 33 (87%) addressed vaccination topics, while none of the 44 current databases did. The remaining paused databases focused on other areas, including respiratory diseases and one public health measure related to drug overdose deaths.
To assess whether gaps were temporary, the authors rechecked the paused databases on December 2, 2025. Only one of the 38 had been updated by that time, suggesting that most pauses persisted for weeks to months.
Why These Gaps Matter for Clinical and Policy Decisions
The authors argue that unexplained pauses in surveillance can erode the public evidence base used by clinicians, health system leaders, professional organizations, and policymakers. When routinely updated public datasets go quiet without explanation, it becomes harder to track trends, evaluate prevention strategies, and align guidance with current conditions.
They call for minimum transparency standards for federal databases, including a visible update status, a rationale when updates are paused, and the next expected update with clear criteria for resumption. Without these measures, unexplained pauses risk undermining evidence-based medicine and public trust.
Reference: Jacobs JW et al. Unexplained Pauses in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Surveillance: Erosion of the Public Evidence Base for Health Policy. Ann Intern Med. 2026; doi:10.7326/ANNALS-25-04022.
