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Indian-American Jay Bhattacharya Takes Helm as CDC's Acting Director

Indian-American physician-economist Jay Bhattacharya is taking over as the acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He will hold this position simultaneously with his role leading the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya rose to national prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic by publicly questioning extended lockdown policies and clashing with Dr. Anthony Fauci. His appointment follows a period of instability at the CDC, which has seen rapid leadership changes under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Key Points: Jay Bhattacharya Appointed Acting CDC Director

  • Bhattacharya to lead CDC and NIH simultaneously
  • Steps into role after leadership turmoil under Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
  • Gained prominence challenging Covid lockdown orthodoxy
  • CDC has $9.7B budget for global public health
  • Another Indian-American, Vinay Prasad, leads FDA biologics center
2 min read

Indian American physician-economist appointed acting head of Centres for Disease Control

Physician-economist Jay Bhattacharya assumes role of acting CDC director, stepping into leadership amid agency controversies.

"He shot to national prominence during the Covid pandemic by questioning the prevalent orthodoxy - Article"

New York, Feb 19

Jay Bhattacharya, a physician and economist, is taking over the leadership of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention as the acting director of the world's premier medical research organisation.

Bhattacharya, who now heads the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will simultaneously hold the CDC position, he told NBC News, confirming several earlier news reports.

He steps into the CDC, which, like the rest of the federal health establishment, has been enmeshed in controversies under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and has been a revolving door for leaders.

Susan Monarez was fired as the CDC director in August after less than a month on the job, after clashing with Kennedy, a vaccine sceptic.

Deputy Health Secretary Jim O'Neill was appointed the temporary head of the CDC, and Bhattacharya now takes over from him.

Kolkata-born Bhattacharya, who holds both a medical degree and a PhD in economics, was a professor at Stanford University's medical school in California when President Donald Trump tapped him to lead the NIH.

He shot to national prominence during the Covid pandemic by questioning the prevalent orthodoxy of the government health establishment that imposed extended, broad lockdowns to fight the disease, and went head-to-head with Anthony Fauci, who was acclaimed as the architect of the official policy.

That caught the attention of Trump and Kennedy.

Atlanta-based CDC has a $9.7 billion budget for its mandate to deal with threats to public health worldwide and in the US.

Through its 25 centres and institutes with a network of laboratories, it monitors and provides ways of controlling infectious diseases, food-borne pathogens, and environmental health problems, as well as non-infectious health issues like obesity and diabetes.

Occupational safety, health and injury prevention are also in its remit.

The NIH, located in the Washington suburb of Bethesda, has 27 institutes and centres and a budget of $48 billion for research at its institutions and sponsoring studies at others through grants.

Another Indian American doctor, Vinay Prasad, also has a top job in the US government health establishment.

He is the director of the Food and Drug Administration's Centre for Biologics Evaluation and Research, which monitors the safety, purity, and effectiveness of biologics, including vaccines, and gene therapies.

Prasad, who took up the helm of the centre in May, quit the job on July 29 only to return on August 9 at the request of the FDA leadership.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Interesting appointment. He questioned the lockdown orthodoxy during COVID, which many in India also felt was too heavy-handed and economically devastating. Hope he brings that balanced, cost-benefit perspective to the CDC. The agency needs stability.
D
David E
With respect, I'm concerned. His controversial stance during the pandemic and apparent alignment with political figures known for vaccine skepticism is worrying for the head of the CDC. Public health should be led by science, not ideology. I hope he proves me wrong.
A
Arjun K
A physician AND an economist leading the CDC? That's actually a brilliant combination. In a country like India, we understand that health policies can't ignore economic realities. Hope his dual expertise helps bridge that gap in the US. More power to him!
S
Sarah B
The article mentions another Indian American, Dr. Vinay Prasad, at the FDA. It's remarkable how many Indian-origin doctors and scientists are in top US health roles. It speaks volumes about the quality of education and medical training many receive here in India before going abroad.
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Karthik V
Acting director of CDC while still heading NIH? That's an insane workload. The US health system seems to be in constant turmoil. Hope he can bring some calm and focus. His Kolkata roots are a nice touch – Bengal produces brilliant minds.

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