• Jay Bhattacharya, the director of the National Institutes of Health, is now also the acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an unusual arrangement that has drawn swift criticism from researchers and public health experts. • Bhattacharya’s new role comes amid a leadership shakeup in the Department of Health and Human Services under anti-vaccine Health Secretary Robert F. • It also marks the third leader for the beleaguered public health agency under Kennedy. • Susan Monarez, a microbiologist and long-time federal health official, held the position of acting director before becoming the firstSenate-confirmed CDC directorat the end of July. • But she was in the role just shy of a month beforeKennedy ousted herfor-according to Monarez-refusing to rubber-stamp changes to vaccine recommendations made by Kennedy’s hand-picked advisors, who are overwhelmingly anti-vaccine themselves. • Jim O’Neill wasthen named acting director.
Article Summaries:
- Jay Bhattacharya, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) director, has been appointed acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) amid a leadership overhaul at the Department of Health and Human Services. The move follows the dismissal of CDC acting director Susan Monarez and former acting director Jim O’Neill, both removed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Bhattacharya’s dual role has drawn criticism from researchers and public health experts, who cite his lack of leadership experience and the NIH’s recent defunding of hundreds of millions in research grants, including 304 clinical trials. The NIH now has 16 of its 27 institutes and centers without directors, underscoring the agency’s instability.
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