Taylor Lorenz’s Power User The Public Health Internet Is Crumbling
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Jul 30, 2025 Chiara Eisner, an investigative reporter at NPR, dives into the critical role of the internet in public health communication. She discusses how the CDC's drastic shifts in communication strategy, particularly under political changes, have led to a blackout on vital information. The conversation highlights the chaos within the agency, including confusion among employees and the consequences for public health during crises. Eisner emphasizes the need for credible journalism in these challenging times, advocating for transparency amidst declining institutional support.
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CDC's Usual Public Health Role
- The CDC normally uses social media to reach millions of people with public health information daily.
- These channels inform the public about disease outbreaks, risks, and preventive measures effectively.
CDC Social Media Taken Over
- Under RFK Jr. and Trump administration, CDC social media accounts have been taken over by HHS.
- Half the time, CDC posts on outbreaks are denied, halting critical public health communication.
CDC Accounts Push RFK Jr. PR
- CDC's X account is mostly used now to promote RFK Jr.'s tweets, not public health info.
- This political propaganda shift replaces the channel's previous role informing the public about health risks.
