Celine Gounder

Dr. Zeke Emanuel, an architect of the Affordable Care Act, Dr. Celine Gounder, an infectious disease specialist, and Donald McNeil Jr., a former NY Times health reporter, dive into the implications of RFK Jr.'s controversial nomination for the Department of Health and Human Services. They explore the rise of COVID denialism, the complex anti-vaccine movement, and the impact of political beliefs on public health strategies. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of science-based decision-making amidst a shifting landscape of health policies.

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.

Celine Gounder, Editor-at-Large for Public Health at KFF Health News and medical contributor for CBS News, joins the discussion. She delves into the troubling implications of Trump's healthcare cuts and RFK Jr.'s influence on public health. Gounder highlights the dangers of political narratives, especially in a libertarian context, which breed skepticism towards medical expertise. The conversation also addresses the urgent issues surrounding Medicare, Medicaid funding cuts, and the high cost of drugs, emphasizing the critical need for informed public discourse.