"On September 1, nine CDC directors who served under both Democrat and Republican administrations going back to 1977 published an opinion piece in the New York Times, writing that the upheaval at CDC under [Robert F.] Kennedy’s leadership at HHS over the past several months is unlike anything the CDC or the county has experienced before.

 

They referenced Kennedy’s promotion of unproven treatments and downplaying of vaccines during the measles outbreak, weakening of key programs including violence and injury prevention, and cancellation of vaccine contracts that leave the country unprepared against future pandemic threats. They also cited  his reduced support for global vaccination efforts and appointing people who align with his dangerous and unscientific views.

 

“We are worried about the wide-ranging impact that all these decisions will have on America’s health security,” the former CDC directors wrote, adding, “This is unacceptable, and it should alarm every American, regardless of political leanings.” [emphasis added]

 

(more)

 

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/anti-science/nine-former-cdc-directors-issue-dire-warning-over-kennedy-actions

 

 

By Richard Besser, Mandy K. Cohen, William Foege, Tom Frieden, Jeffrey Koplan, William Roper, David Satcher, Anne Schuchat and Rochelle P. Walensky

The authors previously led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as directors or acting directors under Republican and Democratic administrations.

 

...

"Mr. Kennedy has fired thousands of federal health workers and severely weakened programs designed to protect Americans from cancer, heart attacks, strokes, lead poisoning, injury, violence and more. Amid the largest measles outbreak in the United States in a generation, he’s focused on unproven treatments while downplaying vaccines. He canceled investments in promising medical research that will leave us ill prepared for future health emergencies.

 

He replaced experts on federal health advisory committees with unqualified individuals who share his dangerous and unscientific views. He announced the end of U.S. support for global vaccination programs that protect millions of children and keep Americans safe, citing flawed research and making inaccurate statements. And he championed federal legislation that will cause millions of people with health insurance through Medicaid to lose their coverage. Firing Dr. Monarez — which led to the resignations of top C.D.C. officials — adds considerable fuel to this raging fire.

...

This is unacceptable, and it should alarm every American, regardless of political leanings. ... The men and women who have joined the C.D.C. across generations have done so not for prestige or power but because they believe deeply in the call to service. They deserve a health and human services secretary who stands up for health, supports science and has their back. So, too, does our country."

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/opinion/cdc-leaders-kennedy.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ik8.2JQu.qplPe_508KkD&smid=url-share

 

 

Dr. Richard Besser served as acting director of the C.D.C. in 2009. Dr. Mandy Cohen served as director of the C.D.C. from 2023 to 2025. Dr. William Foege served as director of the C.D.C. from 1977 to 1983. Dr. Tom Frieden served as director of the C.D.C. from 2009 to 2017. Dr. Jeffrey Koplan served as director of the C.D.C. from 1998 to 2002. Dr. William Roper served as director of the C.D.C. from 1990 to 1993. Dr. David Satcher served as director of the C.D.C. from 1993 to 1998. Dr. Anne Schuchat served as acting director of the C.D.C. in 2017 and 2018. Dr. Rochelle Walensky served as director of the C.D.C. from 2021 to 2023.

 

 

7 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

"On September 1, nine CDC directors who served under both Democrat and Republican administrations going back to 1977 published an opinion piece in the New York Times, writing that the upheaval at CDC under [Robert F.] Kennedy’s leadership at HHS over the past several months is unlike anything the CDC or the county has experienced before.

 

They referenced Kennedy’s promotion of unproven treatments and downplaying of vaccines during the measles outbreak, weakening of key programs including violence and injury prevention, and cancellation of vaccine contracts that leave the country unprepared against future pandemic threats. They also cited  his reduced support for global vaccination efforts and appointing people who align with his dangerous and unscientific views.

 

“We are worried about the wide-ranging impact that all these decisions will have on America’s health security,” the former CDC directors wrote, adding, “This is unacceptable, and it should alarm every American, regardless of political leanings.” [emphasis added]

 

(more)

 

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/anti-science/nine-former-cdc-directors-issue-dire-warning-over-kennedy-actions

 

 

By Richard Besser, Mandy K. Cohen, William Foege, Tom Frieden, Jeffrey Koplan, William Roper, David Satcher, Anne Schuchat and Rochelle P. Walensky

The authors previously led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as directors or acting directors under Republican and Democratic administrations.

 

...

"Mr. Kennedy has fired thousands of federal health workers and severely weakened programs designed to protect Americans from cancer, heart attacks, strokes, lead poisoning, injury, violence and more. Amid the largest measles outbreak in the United States in a generation, he’s focused on unproven treatments while downplaying vaccines. He canceled investments in promising medical research that will leave us ill prepared for future health emergencies.

 

He replaced experts on federal health advisory committees with unqualified individuals who share his dangerous and unscientific views. He announced the end of U.S. support for global vaccination programs that protect millions of children and keep Americans safe, citing flawed research and making inaccurate statements. And he championed federal legislation that will cause millions of people with health insurance through Medicaid to lose their coverage. Firing Dr. Monarez — which led to the resignations of top C.D.C. officials — adds considerable fuel to this raging fire.

...

This is unacceptable, and it should alarm every American, regardless of political leanings. ... The men and women who have joined the C.D.C. across generations have done so not for prestige or power but because they believe deeply in the call to service. They deserve a health and human services secretary who stands up for health, supports science and has their back. So, too, does our country."

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/opinion/cdc-leaders-kennedy.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ik8.2JQu.qplPe_508KkD&smid=url-share

 

 

Dr. Richard Besser served as acting director of the C.D.C. in 2009. Dr. Mandy Cohen served as director of the C.D.C. from 2023 to 2025. Dr. William Foege served as director of the C.D.C. from 1977 to 1983. Dr. Tom Frieden served as director of the C.D.C. from 2009 to 2017. Dr. Jeffrey Koplan served as director of the C.D.C. from 1998 to 2002. Dr. William Roper served as director of the C.D.C. from 1990 to 1993. Dr. David Satcher served as director of the C.D.C. from 1993 to 1998. Dr. Anne Schuchat served as acting director of the C.D.C. in 2017 and 2018. Dr. Rochelle Walensky served as director of the C.D.C. from 2021 to 2023.

 

 

Big pharma selling drugs

I'll have a Grande Covid Anti-Vaxx Conspiracy theory please, extra whipped up hyperbole with a tablespoon of ad-hominid drizzle.

Shake ups can be a good thing.

Whatever "damage" RFK Jr. might cause can easily be repaired down the road.

But I seriously doubt he is "Endangering Every American's Health"...

4% of the world's population.

 

16% of the world's reported Covid deaths.

 

In spite of spending more (by far) than any other country on health care and Covid.

 

Tells me all I need to know about former CDC directors.

 

Edit: as if the dismal US statistics about chronic disease and longevity weren't enough.

Posts of off-topic images have been removed, per the forum's rules. Also more posts with unsourced (no weblinks) imagery.

 

The thread topic here is nine former CDC directors' criticism of health policies and actions taken by HHS Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., including his actions regarding COVID vaccines -- not the personal lives of former CDC staff.

 

 

5 hours ago, impulse said:

4% of the world's population.

 

16% of the world's reported Covid deaths.

Yes, that's the result of ignoring the advice and listening to uninformed Social Media 'experts'.