The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a new leader, Dr. Mandy Cohen, who took office on June 11, 2023, after the official end of the COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11, 2023. Dr. Cohen is an internal medicine physician who previously led North Carolina’s department of health and human services. She stepped into this role at a critical time for the agency, which had faced criticism for its handling of the pandemic.
One of Dr. Cohen’s main priorities upon taking office was to improve the CDC’s communication strategies in order to rebuild trust and authority. She has been working to break down internal barriers within the agency and to ensure that information about COVID-19 and other health issues is clearly and succinctly conveyed to the public.
Despite facing criticism such as backlash over changes to isolation guidance for COVID-19 patients, Dr. Cohen remains committed to her mission. She is leading the CDC in a new effort to collect real-time data from hospitals nationwide, with the goal of identifying and responding to potential health crises before they escalate.
Dr. Cohen emphasizes the importance of understanding the full scope of illnesses that are affecting the population and being able to respond effectively. With her leadership, the CDC is evolving to be more proactive in monitoring and addressing public health concerns.
Dr. Cohen’s focus on improving communication, breaking down barriers, and collecting real-time data demonstrates her dedication to improving the agency’s effectiveness in protecting the health of the population.