The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reportedly launching a revamp of its organization following criticism of its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky on Wednesday outlined a series of changes to the agency’s senior leaders and staff that will prioritize action on public health needs and improve communication with the public, according to multiple media reports.
“For 75 years, CDC and public health have been preparing for COVID-19, and in our big moment, our performance did not reliably meet expectations,” Walensky reportedly said in a statement. “As a long-time admirer of this agency and a champion for public health, I want us all to do better.”
A briefing document on the changes described the CDC’s response to the pandemic as “confusing and overwhelming,” according to the New York Times. It also reportedly calls for the agency to focus “data for action” instead of publication and says guidance to the public should be “easy to understand.”
The changes stem from a review of the agency’s structure, systems and processes that Walensky ordered in April.
The CDC didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
More to come.
