CDC launches center to forecast outbreaks

This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the launch of the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics (CFA). CFA aims to enhance the nation’s ability to use data, models and analytics to enable timely, effective decision-making in response to public health threats. Planning for CFA began in August 2021, with the initial funding of $200 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. To date, the CDC has awarded $26 million in funding to academic institutions and federal partners to advance modeling and forecasting methodology, with an emphasis on workforce development and health equity. The announcement came as the number of COVID-19 cases surpassed 500 million globally. (CDC news release, 4/19/22)