Health Leaders, Medical Groups: CDC Leader Exodus Puts Nation's Health at Risk
Ashish Jha, MD, MPH, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, on X called the developments a wholesale destruction of leadership at CDC. “Most of the top leaders who run key centers have resigned en masse. Total implosion,” he wrote, adding that the exodus is linked to Kennedy’s leadership.
____________________________________
“Most of the top leaders who run key centers have resigned en masse. Total implosion.”
____________________________________
Jeremy Konyndyk, president of Refugees International and who led COVID, mpox, and Ebola efforts at USAID, on X called the resignations massive losses. “Incredible professionals who helped lead the fights against Ebola, Mpox, and HIV, among many many others. I’ve had the privilege of working with Dan and Demetre, and they are the best of the best.”
“This does enormous damage to Americans’ health,” he said.
Ali Kahn, MD, MPH, dean of the University of Nebraska Medical College’s College of Public Health and former assistant surgeon general, said on X that the CDC director’s ouster and the wave of senior leadership resignations isn’t just a political shake-up. “It’s a threat to the nation’s ability to respond to current public health threats and the next pandemic.”
Professional Societies Air Deep Concerns
Medical organizations were also quick to share deep concerns about the impact of the CDC developments. In a statement from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), its director, Tina Tan, MD, said the mass resignations of CDC experts presents a clear and present danger and leaves the nation vulnerable to a wide range of public health threats.
“This loss of highly experienced CDC leadership is the latest devastating result of the Administration’s sustained attacks on public health, and it absolutely must be the last,” she said. “It is time for fundamental changes and a return to evidence-based policy. The Administration’s current trajectory for destroying the public health system is reckless and cannot continue.”
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) said it is deeply disappointed by Monarez’s sudden departure so soon after her confirmation. “In an era marked by increasing assaults on science and public health, CDC must be empowered to rise above politics and remain focused on their core purpose: safeguarding and improving the health of communities,” SHEA said. “While there may be differing perspectives on how best to achieve this goal, it is clear that qualified, steady leadership is indispensable to guiding the path forward.”
____________________________________
“We urge the administration to prioritize continuity and carry on the CDC’s history of a strong commitment to public health and science.”
____________________________________
The American Society for Microbiology said the CDC leadership purge poses a serious public health threat, especially as the nation heads into flu season and faces ongoing infectious disease threats. “Without the steady guidance of these experienced public health leaders, the Administration has a tall task in safeguarding the American people. A strong CDC, guided by science and public health expertise, is essential to the health security of the nation,” the society said, adding that vaccines remain one of the most powerful tools for preventing disease, cutting hospitalizations, and saving lives.
The American College of Emergency Physicians lauded Houry, one of its members, for her deep understanding of the healthcare system and the lasting impacts she’s made on the nation’s health and safety. The group aired deep concerns about what the new leadership transitions could mean for the future of the CDC. “We urge the administration to prioritize continuity and carry on the CDC’s history of a strong commitment to public health and science in its next steps. The stakes are too high to risk uncertainty in one of our most vital health institutions.”
Political Leaders Call for Hearing
The departures also quickly caught the attention of lawmakers, including Sen Bill Cassidy, MD, (R-LA), who cast the tiebreaking vote that advanced Kennedy’s HHS nomination to a full Senate vote in early February after getting specific promises from Kennedy, said on X that the high-profile departures will require oversight by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee, which he leads.
Sen Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the HELP committee, in a statement called Monarez’s willingness to stand up for science and protect CDC’s integrity commendable.
“If there are any adults left in the White House, it’s well past time they face reality and fire RFK Jr. He is a dangerous man who is determined to abuse his authority to act on truly terrifying conspiracy theories and disinformation—leaving us unprepared for the next deadly pandemic and snuffing out potential cures while he’s at it,” she said, calling on her Republican colleagues to join her in calling for his immediate termination from office.
Bernie Sanders (I-VT) said on X that attempts to fire Monarez for her commitment to public health and vaccines after only a few weeks on the job are outrageous. He said the Senate HELP committee must hold a hearing with Kennedy and Monarez as soon as possible. “Vaccines save lives. Period.”
____________________________________
“Vaccines save lives. Period.”
____________________________________
Rep Ami Bera, MD (D-CA) on X called Daskalakis’ resignation letter chilling, adding that Kennedy is driving out dedicated public health experts because they refuse to rubber stamp his dangerous views on vaccines.
“These experts are our first line of defense against outbreaks and emerging threats,” he wrote. “Their resignations make clear that they are no longer being allowed to do their jobs to protect the health and safety of the American people. We must heed this warning and fight back against the continued politicization of our public health institutions.”
Kennedy Chafes Under Criticism
Following the exodus of top CDC staff and outcry from health experts and politicians, Kennedy criticized the CDC but declined to comment on personnel issues during an appearance on Fox News. He took issue with the CDC’s response to COVID regarding vaccination, social distancing, and school closures.
Kennedy also questioned the inclusion of vaccines and fluoridation—two of his top issues—on a 1999 CDC list published in MMWR of top 10 public health advances. He also said the list includes abortion, which it does not. Rather, the list includes family planning and healthier mothers and babies. “There’s really a deeply, deeply embedded, I would say malaise at the agency,” Kennedy said.
Lisa Schnirring is news editor at CIDRAP. This article is published courtesy of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Policy (CIDRAP).
