简体中文
EnglishWhat Scientific Journals Are Available on the CDC Website?
Updated
The CDC website features three scientific journals: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), EID (Emerging Infectious Diseases), and PCD (Preventing Chronic Disease). Each serves a different purpose and audience. MMWR is best for timely, weekly public health updates; EID is best for peer-reviewed infectious disease research; PCD is best for chronic disease research and public health practice. All three are accessible through the "Scientific Journals" section of cdc.gov.
The Three CDC Journals at a Glance
| Journal | Frequency | Peer Review | Primary Focus | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MMWR | Weekly | Not described as peer reviewed in the source | Timely, reliable, objective public health information; epidemiological digest | Staying current on public health developments and outbreak reports |
| EID | Monthly | Yes | Infectious diseases, with emphasis on prevention, control, and elimination | In-depth infectious disease research and review |
| PCD | Not specified in the source | Yes | Chronic disease research, public health findings, innovations, and practices | Chronic disease research and applied public health practice |
MMWR — Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
MMWR is described on the CDC site as a weekly epidemiological digest that provides "timely, reliable, objective, and useful public health information." Its defining characteristic is frequency and timeliness: it is the place to look for current public health findings rather than long-form research.
Choose MMWR if you need:
- Up-to-date epidemiological information on a weekly cadence
- Concise, objective summaries rather than full research articles
- A general public health readership rather than a specialty research audience
EID — Emerging Infectious Diseases
EID is a monthly peer-reviewed journal covering infectious diseases, with emphasis on disease prevention, control, and elimination. The peer-review status and monthly schedule distinguish it from MMWR's weekly digest format.
Choose EID if you need:
- Peer-reviewed infectious disease research
- Content oriented toward prevention and control, not just surveillance
- A monthly rather than weekly publication rhythm
PCD — Preventing Chronic Disease
PCD is a peer-reviewed journal covering research, public health findings, innovations, and practices on chronic diseases. It is the chronic-disease counterpart to EID's infectious-disease focus.
Choose PCD if you need:
- Peer-reviewed chronic disease research
- Public health practice and innovation content, not only study results
- Material relevant to chronic disease programs and interventions
How to Decide Between Them
The choice depends on your question, not on which journal is "best":
- Need current outbreak or surveillance information this week? Start with MMWR.
- Need peer-reviewed research on an infectious disease? Go to EID.
- Need peer-reviewed research or practice guidance on a chronic condition? Go to PCD.
If your topic spans both—for example, the long-term health effects of an infection—check EID for the infectious disease research and PCD for chronic disease management and prevention practice.
Where to Find Them
All three journals are linked from the Scientific Journals section of cdc.gov, alongside the site's broader science content. From there you can reach each journal's own pages for current issues and archives. The CDC also maintains an A to Z index for diseases and conditions and a News section for agency announcements, which are separate from the journals and useful when you need a quick topic overview rather than a research article.