Deborah Birx on why public health data should be available

January 5, 2026

Written by: Deborah Birx

In this article, Deborah Birx argues that public health data should be as accessible and intuitive as a weather forecast. Americans routinely use local, real-time weather information to make everyday decisions, and Birx contends that health data should work the same way—helping individuals and communities act before illness spreads or becomes severe.

Drawing on her experience in public health, Birx critiques the current top-down approach, where federal guidance is often delayed, overly broad, and disconnected from local realities. She calls for more transparent, community-level data that is timely, visual, and actionable, allowing state and local leaders to respond to emerging health risks more effectively.

Birx highlights modern surveillance tools, such as syndromic and wastewater monitoring, as examples of how faster, real-world data can improve early detection of outbreaks and chronic disease trends. She also stresses that data must be clearly communicated and culturally relevant, noting that poor interpretation and vague national messaging can undermine trust and limit impact.

Ultimately, Birx makes the case that empowering communities with clear, localized health data would strengthen public trust, improve outcomes, and allow Americans to manage their health with the same ease and confidence they use to check the weather.

Explore the full article here.

Dr. Deborah Birx is a world-renowned physician, diplomat, and public health expert known for her decades of leadership in global health and pandemic response. As the former White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator and U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, she has guided nations through some of the most complex health challenges in recent history. Dr. Birx’s deep expertise in infectious diseases, data-driven policy, and crisis management makes her a powerful and insightful speaker for organizations navigating today’s evolving health landscape. Dr. Birx’s speaking engagements are managed exclusively by WWSG. To host her for your next event, contact us!