The Gist Obama CDC Director Tom Frieden: “'Believe in Science' Is a Terrible Idea.”
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Oct 7, 2025 Tom Frieden, former CDC director and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, shares insights from his book on public health strategies. He introduces his 'See, Believe, Create' approach and discusses the importance of distinguishing settled facts from speculation. Frieden critiques the slogan 'Believe in Science,' emphasizing the need for evidence over directives. He highlights significant public health victories like hypertension management and argues against prolonged school closures and vaccine mandates, advocating for a more nuanced approach to health crises.
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Science Informs, It Does Not Command
- Science gives humility about what we know and don't know rather than absolute answers.
- Tom Frieden argues 'Believe in science' is misleading because science informs judgment, not decisions.
High Blood Pressure: A Clear Preventable Killer
- High blood pressure was unknown until late 19th century but now is a clear, treatable major risk factor.
- Frieden stresses that controlling systolic blood pressure substantially reduces heart attack, stroke, and dementia risk.
Tiny Particles, Huge Toll
- PM2.5 has fallen in many places but still causes large mortality worldwide and in the U.S.
- Frieden highlights particulate pollution as an invisible but major driver of heart disease, stroke, and dementia.
