Food for thought.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that 76 million Americans get sick each year from eating contaminated food. 325,000 are sick enough to be hospitalized. In a period between Jan. 1, 2000, and Dec. 31, 2004, there were 6,374 food-related disease outbreaks affecting multiple individuals.

These outbreaks were studied by investigators from the Scripps Howard News Service, and reported by Thomas Hargrove. The findings are alarming. In only 36 percent of cases were the causes of the outbreaks diagnosed by state health departments. In Alabama, only 5 percent of the cases were diagnosed. In New Jersey, just 21 percent. The dismaying list goes on: In Maryland 27 percent; New York 40 percent; and Pennsylvania 48 percent. Well, you say, perhaps the job is just too difficult. But Wisconsin diagnosed 90 percent.

Although the CDC knew these figures, it did not make them public. That job was left to Scripps Howard. Why was the CDC so reticent? This reminds me of what an important agency the CDC is, and how its performance needs a major evaluation. As the head of a small foundation devoted to better reporting about government agencies, I've tried to persuade a number of reporters to take on the job of evaluating the CDC, but the time and technical expertise required have made the task seem too big. I hope someone reading this is inspired to say, "Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead," and try anyway.