Science Quickly What’s Driving Experts Away from the CDC?
8 snips
Oct 1, 2025 
Demetre Daskalakis, a former director at the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, shares insights on the recent mass resignations of public health experts. He delves into how political shifts are undermining science-driven decisions at the CDC, posing risks to vital health programs. Daskalakis emphasizes the need for external organizations to support public health and warns of funding cuts jeopardizing local services. He also discusses the declining integrity of vaccine policy and offers practical advice for maintaining health amidst uncertainty.
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Ideological Shift At CDC Leadership
- Demetre Daskalakis says CDC leadership shifted toward ideology under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and moved away from science-based decision-making.
- He describes the new leadership as valuing ideology over expert advice and adopting an authoritarian style.
Call Out Process Glitches Publicly
- Use outside experts to identify and flag atypical, non-scientific decisions at CDC and HHS.
- Point out process glitches publicly to preserve scientific standards while working from outside government.
Para-Governmental Groups Must Step Up
- Daskalakis warns that CDC's loss of trust means para-governmental organizations must fill the gap.
- He urges these groups to unify and carry the public health burden while CDC is undermined.
