

Dr. Debra Houry, former Chief Medical Officer and Dep. Director, CDC: “He’s becoming dangerous to the health of our nation.”
Dr. Debra Houry joined the podcast, following her resignation from CDC on August 25, upon the firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez, and shortly after her September 17 testimony before the Senate HELP Committee. What does she make of President Trump’s September 22 press conference on Tylenol, its alleged connection to autism, and the potential use of leucovorin? While serving as CDC’s senior most leader, how did she navigate the period from President Trump’s inauguration on January 20 until the arrival of Susan Monarez as the new CDC Director on July 31? How was the armed attack upon CDC on August 8 experienced? What are the downstream impacts? How did she plan and carry out her resignation in league with other CDC leaders? What did the September 17 Senate HELP Committee meeting accomplish? What is the state now of CDC? “I have grave concerns about what is coming out of that agency.” How to stabilize CDC? It needs permanent scientific leadership, a stable budget, more truth and oversight of advisory committees, better trust in CDC staff, and more voice by CDC staff and scientists in partnership with communities.