The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on September 4 that it will now rely on data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) to report measles fatalities. The change comes as Pennsylvania continues to grapple with a significant outbreak that recorded its third apparent measles-related death over the weekend, according to a local coroner.
In a note published to its website, the CDC explained that the shift to NCHS data is intended to provide a more consistent framework for tracking mortality trends over time.
Honestly, I just want the outbreak contained. Why are we arguing about statistics while people are dying in Pennsylvania?
This is alarming. Three deaths in one state is already terrible, but redefining the count feels like damage control.
I’m curious why NCHS data is considered more consistent now. The article doesn’t explain the previous method’s flaws.
Wait, did they just change how they count deaths because the numbers got bad? That sounds suspicious to me.