Planning for the future of the American Society for Microbiology’s Health Unit by the Council on Microbial Sciences

In February and March 2025, the American Society for Microbiology (ASM)'s Council on Microbial Sciences (COMS) hosted a series of virtual retreats to integrate the communities of Clinical Infections and Vaccines (CIV) and Clinical and Public Health Microbiology (CPHM) under the umbrella of the new scientific unit ASM Health. Representatives from these two communities invited experts and ASM members to reflect on the current state of the science, identify challenges hindering scientific advancements, and propose recommendations for overcoming these challenges. Sessions focused on progress in (i) vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and global pathogen surveillance; (ii) improving data integration and cross-agency sharing; (iii) supporting the microbial health workforce; and (iv) gaining public support and confidence in microbiology. Four major recommendations emerged for ASM Health. First, increased support for microbiological science is crucial to ensure the advancement of vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and global pathogen surveillance to mitigate infectious disease threats. Second, enhancement of data integration and sharing in real-time via information systems will facilitate a deeper understanding of disease epidemiology. Third, modern approaches to recruitment, career path, and profession awareness, and dynamic training programs are necessary to achieve microbial workforce balance. Fourth, microbiologists will benefit from outreach training and resources designed to restore public trust in an environment that questions science and evidence-based approaches. ASM is uniquely positioned to take a pivotal leadership role to develop these concepts into specific programs, as well as to enhance partnerships across the spectrum to innovate in funding, both for scientific research and public health.