The recent events at the CDC have left many in the public health sector reeling, as the fallout from the ouster of CDC Director Susan Monarez continues to reverberate. The agency has been plunged into chaos, with four top officials resigning in protest and a new acting director, Jim O’Neill, temporarily taking the helm.
The union representing CDC employees has warned that “public health itself is under attack,” as employees at the agency’s headquarters organized a “clap out” to honor Monarez and the other departed officials. Experts are concerned that this internal crisis at the CDC is spilling over into the real world, with one CDC employee noting, “I’ve never heard as many colleagues saying things like ‘CDC is dead’ as I have today, not even in the darkest days of Covid.”
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been consolidating power amid the chaos at the CDC. Despite objections from some quarters, Kennedy has continued to push through his agenda, even overriding promises made to lawmakers about upholding vaccine safety. This has raised concerns among public health officials that Kennedy will further pack federal health agencies with his allies, potentially undermining the integrity of public health initiatives.
Kennedy’s recent comments on psychiatric medication and gender-affirming care have also sparked controversy. He revived a long-standing conspiracy theory about the link between SSRIs and mass shootings, despite evidence to the contrary. Additionally, his remarks on gender-affirming therapy have raised questions about the safety and efficacy of these treatments.
In other health news, the rollout of 988 as the U.S. standard suicide hotline has been lackluster on digital apps, with only 15% of mental health apps utilizing it for crisis support. This comes at a time when access to mental health care is crucial, as suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. The federal government’s elimination of specialized services for LGBTQ+ callers on the hotline has raised concerns about equitable access to mental health resources.
On a positive note, the Health Resources and Services Administration has announced plans to expand oversight of the organ transplant system with a new public dashboard. This tool aims to improve transparency and accountability in organ procurement and transplantation, ensuring a fair and equitable process for patients and families.
As the health sector grapples with these challenges and uncertainties, it is more important than ever to stay informed and engaged with the latest developments. Subscribe to STAT’s free newsletter Morning Rounds for your daily dose of health and medicine news.
