New CDC Director Addresses Staffing Issues and Public Trust
In her first large staff meeting, the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Erica Schwartz, acknowledged agency problems such as understaffed programs and employee burnout. She also stated her intention to advocate for the…
Detroit, MI, August 19, 2026 —
Dr. Erica Schwartz, the newly appointed director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has publicly acknowledged significant challenges facing the agency, including understaffed programs and widespread employee burnout. These remarks were made during her first large staff meeting since assuming leadership.
During the meeting, Dr. Schwartz addressed concerns regarding what were described as “zombie” programs and the substantial loss of over 3,000 employees from the agency. She conveyed her intention to advocate for the CDC’s needs and mission, even if it means privately differing with U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Dr. Schwartz underscored a commitment to restoring and enhancing public trust in the CDC. She outlined her strategy for achieving this goal, emphasizing the critical importance of both transparency and scientific rigor in the agency’s operations and communications.
The director’s address highlighted a focus on addressing internal issues to strengthen the CDC’s capacity to serve the public health landscape effectively. The specific details regarding the nature of the “zombie” programs or the exact timeline for addressing staffing shortages were not provided in the summary.
Story summarized from the original created by Mike Stobbe, Associated Press on www.clickondetroit.com, see more information here.
