In May 2023, the U.S. COVID-19 public health emergency officially ended, and a month later, President Joe Biden appointed Dr. Mandy Cohen as the new director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Cohen, an internal medicine physician who previously led North Carolina’s department of health and human services, stepped into this role at a critical time for the agency, which had faced criticism for its handling of the pandemic.
Upon taking office, Dr. Cohen’s main priority 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.