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The US in Brief: Does the CDC Have a New Boss?
The Economist, 29 August 2025
The brief touches on a question that has lingered in the corridors of Washington since the summer of 2023: who is steering the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today? The answer is both straightforward and surprisingly complicated, reflecting a mix of institutional inertia, partisan politics and the lingering shadow of a pandemic that reshaped the nation’s public‑health culture.
The Quiet Turn of the Wheel
When Dr. Robert Redfield was forced to resign in August 2023 following a highly publicized investigation into his handling of a whistleblower complaint, the CDC found itself adrift. The Biden administration, which had already been in the process of vetting a replacement, faced an urgent dilemma: how to restore confidence in an agency that had been repeatedly called into question over the past decade. The Economist’s article notes that by early 2024, the agency was run by an acting director, Dr. Mandy Cohen—an epidemiologist who had previously served as the state health secretary of Illinois and had been a vocal advocate for data‑driven responses to COVID‑19.
Cohen’s appointment was officially announced in June 2024, and she was sworn in a month later. The piece explains that her ascension marked a turning point, not only because it was the first time a woman has headed the CDC, but also because she brought with her a reputation for scientific rigor and a willingness to confront political pressures. The article quotes Dr. Cohen herself: “The CDC’s mandate is to protect public health, not to be a political tool,” a line that underscores the tension that has long plagued the agency.
The Political Quagmire
The Economist’s narrative is careful to detail the complicated path that led to Cohen’s confirmation. Senators from both parties have weighed in, some praising her credentials, others criticizing the federal government’s handling of the agency’s internal governance. In particular, Republican lawmakers expressed concern that the Biden administration’s selection process had been “too quick” and lacked transparency. Democratic senators, meanwhile, argued that a delay would undermine the CDC’s credibility at a time when new infectious disease threats—such as a rising number of monkeypox cases and a resurgent influenza season—require decisive leadership.
The article underscores that Cohen’s confirmation is not just a matter of filling a bureaucratic vacancy. It is a symbolic moment that reflects broader debates about the role of science in public policy, especially in an era where public trust in institutions has been eroded by conflicting narratives on issues ranging from vaccine mandates to pandemic preparedness.
A Strategic Agenda
Beyond the politics, the piece examines the strategic priorities that Cohen is expected to champion. Her appointment comes at a time when the CDC is grappling with several challenges: a 15 % budget cut in the 2025 federal fiscal year, an ongoing investigation into a recent data breach, and the need to modernize its surveillance infrastructure. Cohen’s stated agenda focuses on three pillars:
Rebuilding Trust – The Economist cites an interview with a former CDC official who said, “We must be transparent in how we handle data and how we communicate with the public.” Cohen is expected to roll out new public‑health dashboards that are open to scrutiny and to launch a nationwide campaign that underscores the CDC’s independence from political influence.
Strengthening Surveillance – The article highlights the agency’s efforts to integrate artificial‑intelligence tools for early detection of outbreaks. Dr. Cohen is quoted as saying that “the next frontier in disease surveillance is the convergence of big data and real‑time analytics.”
Enhancing Pandemic Preparedness – In light of the WHO’s recent warning that “COVID‑19 is not a distant memory,” the article notes that Cohen will oversee the CDC’s $300 million pandemic preparedness program, aimed at stockpiling vaccines and strengthening global health security partnerships.
Lessons from the Past
The Economist’s piece also takes a step back to analyze the long‑term implications of a CDC that is still under a “new boss” banner. By tracing the agency’s history from its founding in 1946 to its present, the article argues that the CDC’s effectiveness has always been contingent on the integrity of its leadership. It cites the 1980s “flu scare” and the 2009 H1N1 pandemic as case studies where leadership choices amplified or mitigated the agency’s impact.
The article concludes with a sobering reminder that a new boss is only a first step. “Leadership matters, but institutional culture and funding matter even more,” the Economist writes. The article ends on a hopeful note, noting that Dr. Cohen’s track record and the bipartisan support she has begun to garner could signal a new era of stability for the CDC—one that is better equipped to navigate the complex public‑health landscape of the 21st century.
Read the Full The Economist Article at:
[ https://www.economist.com/in-brief/2025/08/29/the-us-in-brief-does-the-cdc-have-a-new-boss ]