News Outlets Interview CDC Director Tom Frieden About Successes, Challenges Of Leading Agency, Future Uncertainties

Vox: Why CDC head Tom Frieden is actually optimistic about public health under Trump
“…With President-elect Donald Trump taking office this week, there’s a lot of uncertainty about how the U.S. will handle public health and respond to potential future pandemics. There’s also uncertainty about what will happen to the CDC budget and vaccine coverage rates under a president who spreads vaccine conspiracy theories. And [current CDC Director Tom] Frieden’s own future is currently in limbo, as [he] submitted his resignation as director on January 20. But when we met Frieden at the CDC offices in Washington, D.C., last week, he was optimistic…” (Belluz, 1/16).

Washington Post: Outgoing CDC chief talks about agency’s successes — and his greatest fear
“…While in Washington late last week to take part in a National Security Council exercise for top officials across agencies who are coming or leaving, Frieden talked with the Washington Post about the accomplishments and frustrations of his tenure. He spoke about the successes in reducing smoking in this country, the importance of continued global leadership on fighting diseases abroad — the best way to protect Americans at home, he said — and the challenges ahead…” (Sun, 1/16).

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