In this episode of Science Quickly, host Rachel Feltman is joined by associate editor for health and medicine Lauren J. Young to unpack the growing unrest at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention following the departure of the agency’s director Susan Monarez. As criticism mounts against Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.—including a scathing essay from nine former CDC leaders and a resignation demand from more than 1,000 past and current HHS staffers—the episode explores what these developments mean for the future of public health leadership in the U.S.

Recommended Reading

CDC’s Leadership Is in Chaos—Experts Warn of Public Health Risks

“Kennedy Is Endangering Every American’s Health,” by Richard Besser et al., in New York Times; September 3, 2025

“HHS Employees Demand RFK Jr. Resign for ‘Compromising the Health of This Nation,’” by Meg Tirrell, in CNN Health. Published online September 3, 2025

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Science Quickly is produced by Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi, Kelso Harper and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura. Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck fact-check the show. The theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.

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