Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the head of the Department of Health and Human Services, mentioned on Thursday that he is addressing concerns at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) amidst a backdrop of resignations following the dismissal of the agency’s director.
During an interview on “Fox & Friends,” Kennedy expressed that he wasn’t shocked by the resignation of four senior CDC officials after the White House removed Susan Monares, who had just been appointed a month prior.
“I can’t say it’s surprising,” he remarked. “I mean, I can’t delve into HR matters specifically, but it’s clear the agency is facing issues. We need to address them — and we are — which might lead to some people moving on.”
According to a report from the New York Times, Kennedy had instructed Monares to resign or be fired over disagreements regarding vaccine policies. When she declined to resign, the White House subsequently terminated her contract.
Kennedy described it as “inappropriate” to comment on human resources matters, yet shared that there are “ambitious hopes” for the CDC moving forward. He acknowledged that there are certainly challenges the organization faces.
He suggested that the agency seems overly focused on fluoridation, vaccines, and abortion policy.
The HHS has previously published a list of “10 Great Public Health Achievements” of the 20th Century, which highlights “vaccination,” “family planning,” and “fluoridation of drinking water.”
This list also covers “Motor Vehicle Safety,” “Occupational Safety,” “Controlling Infectious Diseases,” “Reducing Coronary Artery Disease and Stroke Mortality,” “Safer and Healthier Foods,” “Healthy Mothers and Babies,” and recognizing tobacco use as a significant health threat.
However, an updated list from 2011 no longer includes “family planning” and “fluoridation of drinking water.” Instead, it features “cancer prevention” and “preventing childhood lead poisoning,” while some of the earlier achievements remain on it.
The CDC has been operating an abortion surveillance program since 1969, which tracks the legally permitted abortions across the country.
