Susan Monarez Takes the Helm at CDC: What's Her Stance on Health Issues?

Susan Monarez is now the official head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Senate voted to confirm her, with 51 votes in favor and 47 against, strictly along party lines. This comes after she was nominated by President Trump in March. He described her as a "dedicated public servant" and highlighted her commitment to safeguarding children and communities. Monarez has been temporarily leading the CDC since January. Before that, she was in charge of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health. Her background is a bit different from past CDC directors because she has a Ph. D. but isn't a medical doctor. During her confirmation hearing, Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy praised her for her dedication to rebuilding public trust after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Democratic senators were more critical. They questioned her about cuts in federal funding for health programs and the CDC's role under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Monarez faced many questions about vaccines. Kennedy has been known to criticize vaccines and even pushed a false claim linking them to autism. But Monarez made it clear that she doesn't see any proof of that. She also emphasized the importance of vaccines in preventing diseases like measles, which has been making a comeback. When asked about fluoride, Monarez acknowledged its benefits for oral health. She reassured Sen. Angela Alsobrooks that the water in Potomac, Maryland, which has fluoride, is safe for families. Measles was a hot topic during the hearing. Monarez was asked how she would work with Kennedy, who has made some questionable statements about the disease. She stressed the importance of being independent and making decisions based on science. She also clarified that measles can indeed be deadly, despite Kennedy's claims to the contrary.