National Media Turn to IDSA Members for Information, Expertise

HuffPost, Chicago Tribune, Forbes, The Hill: In just the past two weeks, IDSA spokespersons have interviewed with these media organizations and more, providing facts, perspectives and important public health information about infectious diseases to the public. IDSA receives dozens of requests for information and interviews from the media each month. During outbreaks or other breaking news, IDSA reaches out to reporters with “expert alerts” to let them know that our members are the ones to turn to for sources. Thanks to our experts, we are also able to provide perspective and become part of the conversation through letters to the editor and opinion/editorials. These are invaluable opportunities to increase awareness of the important role of infectious diseases physicians and scientists.

Below are just a few highlights from the past two weeks. Don’t miss IDSA’s Public Health Committee Chair, Matt Zahn, MD sharing advice on when to get the flu shot in a Huffington Post video.

News Stories:

• HuffPost: Flu Shots Too Soon? Matt Zahn, MD
• Chicago Tribune:  Nasal spray flu vaccine gets green light from CDC this year Andy Pavia, MD, FIDSA
• Forbes: Why Will We See More Measles? Public Health Can Answer Matt Zahn, MD
• CIDRAP: New ACIP flu vaccine advice brings up waning-protection issue Matt Zahn, MD

Op Eds:

• The Hill: Health-care worker infections add to Ebola challenge in Congo Dan Lucey, MD, FIDSA
• The Hill: Infectious disease monitoring — more care needed to control impacts of opioid crisis Alice Thornton, MD, FIDSA and Nicole Leedy, MD

• The Hill:  Sustained US preparedness needed for Ebola and other pan-epidemic threats Dan Lucey, MD, FIDSA