Sonja Rasmussen
@srasmussen7690.bsky.social
2.8K followers 4.1K following 16 posts
Professor of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, clinical geneticist, pediatrician, former CDC leader and researcher, former editor-in-chief of CDC’s MMWR, lead editor of CDC Field Epidemiology Manual
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
Reposted by Sonja Rasmussen
cidrap.bsky.social
Statement: CIDRAP stands behind public health officials after attack on CDC

-from the CIDRAP Leadership

We declare our unwavering support of the CDC and all public health agencies and their steadfast dedication to improve the health of all people

www.cidrap.umn.edu/p...
Reposted by Sonja Rasmussen
pbsnews.org
"Mr. Kennedy continues to use words that make it sound like he knows what he's talking about, but, in fact, he doesn't," Osterholm, the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, told PBS News Hour's Geoff Bennett on Wednesday.
srasmussen7690.bsky.social
I am quoted in this article. Time to stop the anti-vaccine and anti-science rhetoric that is putting public health workers at risk.
medpagetoday.com
Public health experts are calling on HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to more strongly condemn misinformation, disinformation, and violence in the wake of the shooting at the CDC campus on Friday. @firedbutfighting.bsky.social @srasmussen7690.bsky.social
www.medpagetoday.com/washington-w...
Experts Call for Stronger Response From RFK Jr. on CDC Shooting
'Now is the time to condemn violence and anti-science rhetoric,' one expert says
www.medpagetoday.com
srasmussen7690.bsky.social
I am quoted in this article. As a former MMWR Editor-in-Chief, I am concerned about what public health issues we are not hearing about during this MMWR slowdown.
Reposted by Sonja Rasmussen
drtomfrieden.bsky.social
RFK Jr. has stated that the measles vaccination routinely causes deaths, which is not true. The truth is that measles vaccination has prevented more than 60 million deaths globally. Vaccinating your children not only protects them, but also entire communities.
srasmussen7690.bsky.social
I’m happy to share this video where I am interviewed by the editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Public Health about the critical role of CDC’s MMWR. m.youtube.com/watch?v=jwRx...
AJPH 03/2025: "What Is Public Health: The Role of the MMWR
YouTube video by American Public Health Association
m.youtube.com
Reposted by Sonja Rasmussen
damania.bsky.social
NIH funding creates medicines, jobs and economic growth
Reposted by Sonja Rasmussen
govpritzker.illinois.gov
Tyranny requires your fear and your silence and your compliance.

Democracy requires your courage.

So gather your justice and humanity, Illinois, and do not let despair overcome us when our country needs us the most.
srasmussen7690.bsky.social
Our paper released yesterday:

The ongoing existing and potential threats to the health of the US population underscore the reality that we cannot afford a cessation of data-driven updates from our country’s lead public health agency.

www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
The Consequences of Silencing the “Voice of CDC” | NEJM
For more than 60 years, the MMWR has published life-saving information on U.S. public health crises. The Trump administration’s pause on health communications has disrupted that essential mission.
www.nejm.org
srasmussen7690.bsky.social
I’m pleased that MMWR was published this week but disappointed that the articles about H5N1 were excluded from the issue. I am quoted here - we need this information! www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
CDC scientific report resumes publication after unprecedented pause
But three studies about bird flu remain on hold even as the outbreak spreads.
www.washingtonpost.com
srasmussen7690.bsky.social
This is horrifying
charlesornstein.bsky.social
This is a big deal, y'all. Federal health websites are being stripped of content or removed in their entirety. Stick with this thread for a look at what's disappeared so far! 1/x
Reposted by Sonja Rasmussen
ddiamond.bsky.social
Cancer researchers said grants were on hold.

Health briefings were abruptly canceled.

The CDC’s famed Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report didn’t publish as scheduled.

Our look at the sweeping consequences of the Trump admin’s “pause” of health communications.

with @lenasun.bsky.social + pals
Health researchers alarmed as Trump administration pauses travel, communications
The halt has frozen research grants, meetings and key health updates. “Everything is basically in chaos,” said one cancer researcher.
www.washingtonpost.com
srasmussen7690.bsky.social
Important thread on the importance of NIH research
jabarocas.bsky.social
Why should the public care about the freeze on the NIH? Aside from the need for scientific pursuits to make our society better…
-For every dollar we invest in NIH research, there is a $2.5 return.
-Research dollars help fund universities that employ non-academics. (1/)
srasmussen7690.bsky.social
I am quoted in this article about the publication of MMWR being on pause. It is concerning that information relevant to the public’s health is not able to be distributed.

www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdi...
Trump's Gag Order Halts CDC Publication
MMWR did not publish as usual at 1 p.m. today
www.medpagetoday.com
Reposted by Sonja Rasmussen
ddiamond.bsky.social
New: Trump officials have paused all external communications at health agencies like CDC, FDA, NIH.

No health alerts and the famed MMWRs; no updates to key websites or social media posts.

And no indication how long the pause will last.

With @rachelroubein.bsky.social + Lena Sun.
Trump officials pause health agencies’ communications, citing review
The agencies are charged with making decisions that touch the lives of every American and are the source of crucial information to health-care providers.
www.washingtonpost.com