As we continue to navigate a challenging era for public health, the importance of clear, credible, and independent scientific communication has never been greater. At CIDRAP, our mission has always been rooted in delivering evidence-based insights that inform policy, guide practitioners, and empower the public.
From its inception in 2001, a centerpiece of CIDRAP (the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy here at the University of Minnesota) has been CIDRAP News, which provides some of the best coverage of infectious diseases and other pressing public health issues anywhere on the planet. Our growing news operation maintains the same high journalistic standards of leading news agencies—and I would put our expertise in covering infectious disease data and events on par with and even ahead of other news teams.
Another key element sets us apart: We feature no paywall. Our content will always be freely available.
And, as with any newspaper, timely perspective pieces are a key component of our website—and you’ve probably noticed that we continue to grow our slate of commentaries to balance our news offerings. In that vein, I am pleased to welcome highly respected science communicator Jess Steier, DrPH, founder of Unbiased Science, as the latest contributor to CIDRAP’s Op-Ed series.
Today we’ve published the first of many op-eds by Jess: “Don’t be distracted—ACIP was never the only play.” Jess joins the always-effective Jake Scott, MD, who wrote his first op-ed for us in October, highlighting MMR vaccine controversies, and contributes about two pieces a month.
CIDRAP Op-Eds and other crucial commentaries on our site like Vaccine Integrity Project Viewpoints provide the perfect counterbalance to our hard-hitting, factual news stories. While coverage from our highly talented CIDRAP News team provides users with the latest breaking news, reports, and studies, CIDRAP Op-Eds allow leading experts an opportunity to flesh out the day’s controversies with their unique insights and opinions—their take on why today’s events matter to public health and to you and your family.
We need to communicate information with empathy, understanding, and clarity, never forgetting the real people that receive her important messages.
You won’t find these invaluable take-home messages anywhere else. And know that commentators’ voices are their own—they operate independently of me and of CIDRAP, and all editorial decisions regarding op-eds belong to CIDRAP Editorial Director Jim Wappes. The wall between my role as CIDRAP director and the operations of the news team remains strong.
Highly complementary skill sets
As Op-Ed authors, both Jess and Jake bring distinct but highly complementary skill sets to improving how we respond to public health threats. At a time when much of the public remains leery of public health messaging, they bring unparalleled experience, data savvy, and clear messaging to their ever-expanding audiences.
They both embody an increasingly rare—yet urgently—quality: the ability to translate complex science into accurate and accessible messaging, without sacrificing potency. Their bodies of work reflect a deep respect for data, commitment to intellectual honesty, and willingness to admit uncertainty.
Jess, an accomplished scientist trained in public health and health communications, brings unique insights on how science is shared, interpreted, and sometimes distorted in the public arena. And she reminds us that data alone are not enough. We need to communicate information with empathy, understanding, and clarity, never forgetting the real people that receive her important messages. She and her Unbiased Science team have been producing our biweekly “State of US Vaccine Policy” reports that spotlight the latest immunization-related developments.
Jake, with his deep background in infectious diseases and clinical medicine, offers a perspective grounded in frontline experience. He understands not only the science of pathogens, vaccines, and treatments, but also the realities of patient care and health system pressures. Some of his most recent CIDRAP Op-Eds covered the HPV vaccine's cancer-prevention record, the resolution of the mRNA myocarditis signal, and the evidentiary failures in a leaked Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices work group report.
What unites both of these contributors is their shared commitment to evidence over ideology. They are not afraid to challenge assumptions and call out flawed reasoning. That rigor is essential if we are to maintain public trust and make sound decisions in the face of uncertainty and often-confusing federal public health recommendations.
At CIDRAP, we believe that informed dialogue is a cornerstone of effective public health. By bringing diverse, thoughtful voices onto our Op-Ed platform, we aim to foster conversations that are not only scientifically grounded but also relevant to the real-world decisions facing people today.
Welcome, Jess! And thanks for continuing your important work with us, Jake!
