The NewsWorthy Special Edition: CDC Shake-Up – Trust, Vaccines & Future of Public Health
Sep 13, 2025
Celine Gounder, an infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist, joins Caitlin Jetelina, a data scientist and Yale professor, to discuss the recent CDC upheaval and its implications for public trust in health policies. They dive into the challenges of navigating vaccine guidelines amidst resignations at the CDC, highlighting the impact of politics on scientific integrity. The conversation also addresses the urgent need for modern public health strategies as vaccination rates decline, risking a resurgence of preventable diseases, and emphasizes trust as vital for effective health initiatives.
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Science Is A Process Not A Conclusion
- Science is a process that tests hypotheses and tries to disprove them rather than starting with a conclusion.
- Celine Gounder warns that treating science like lawyerly thinking undermines its integrity and trustworthiness.
Insist On Transparent Scientific Processes
- Demand transparent, scientifically rigorous processes regardless of the outcome to preserve trust in public health decisions.
- Celine Gounder urges that process integrity matters as much as conclusions to maintain public confidence.
New COVID Guidance Leaves Many In Limbo
- FDA limited COVID vaccine approval to 65+ and 6 months–64 with risk factors, leaving many unsure if they qualify.
- Celine Gounder highlights gaps in primary care and undiagnosed conditions that make this guidance confusing and risky for infants.