CDC Head Announces Shake-Up of Organization

The head of the nation’s top public health agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has announced a shake-up of the organization aimed at making it more nimble and responsive to public health threats.

Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic

The planned changes, which CDC leaders call a “reset,” come amid ongoing criticism of the agency’s response to COVID-19, monkeypox, and other public health threats. The changes include internal staffing moves and steps to speed up data releases.

A Renewed Focus

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, who announced the changes, emphasized the need for a renewed focus on public health threats. “I feel like it’s my responsibility to lead this agency to a better place after a really challenging three years,” she said.

A Larger Problem

The CDC’s lack of agility has been a persistent problem, with critics arguing that the agency is too focused on collecting and analyzing data rather than acting quickly to address emerging threats. The COVID-19 pandemic brought these issues to the forefront, as experts criticized the CDC for being slow to recognize the virus’s spread, recommend mask-wearing, and ramp up testing for new variants.

A Proposal for Change

In April, Walensky called for an in-depth review of the agency, which led to the proposed changes. The proposal must be approved by the Department of Health and Human Services secretary, and CDC officials hope to have the changes finalized and in place by early next year.

What’s Changing

Some of the changes include:

Increasing the use of preprint scientific reports to get out actionable data, instead of waiting for research to go through peer review and publication by the CDC journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Restructuring the agency’s communications office and further revamping CDC websites to make the agency’s guidance for the public more clear and easier to find.
Altering the length of time agency leaders are devoted to outbreak responses to a minimum of six months — an effort to address a turnover problem that at times caused knowledge gaps and affected the agency’s communications.
Creation of a new executive council to help Walensky set strategy and priorities.
Appointing Mary Wakefield as senior counselor to implement the changes.
Altering the agency’s organization chart to undo some changes made during the Trump administration.
Establishing an office of intergovernmental affairs to smooth partnerships with other agencies, as well as a higher-level office on health equity.

Conclusion

The CDC’s shake-up is a crucial step in addressing the agency’s long-standing issues with agility and responsiveness. While there is still much work to be done, this initiative marks a positive step towards making the CDC a more effective and nimble public health organization.

FAQs

Q: Why is the CDC shaking up its organization?
A: The CDC is making changes to become more nimble and responsive to public health threats.

Q: What specific changes are being made?
A: The changes include increasing the use of preprint scientific reports, restructuring the agency’s communications office, altering the length of time agency leaders are devoted to outbreak responses, and creating a new executive council.

Q: When will the changes take effect?
A: The changes must be approved by the Department of Health and Human Services secretary, and CDC officials hope to have the changes finalized and in place by early next year.

Q: Why is this a positive step?
A: The shake-up marks a critical step towards addressing the CDC’s long-standing issues with agility and responsiveness, and making the agency a more effective and nimble public health organization.

FILE – A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sign stands at the entrance of their offices in Atlanta on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. On Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, the head of nation’s top public health agency announced a shake-up of the organization, in a bid to respond to ongoing criticism and try to make it more nimble. (AP Photo/Ron Harris, File)