Science, efficiency to drive CDC changes

By Shelia M. Poole

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced several changes aimed at increasing the agency’s efficiency and making it more user-friendly for state and local health departments.

The changes, which will not affect the size of the agency’s work force, were outlined in the Federal Register, and CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden discussed them Thursday with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“I think in any organization you can always figure out ways to do a better job,” said Frieden, who assumed control of the CDC in June. “The bottom line really is to focus on strengthening and supporting science. We want to make the science timely, relevant and accessible to people.”

When he took the helm, Frieden outlined five goals for the federal agency. They were to improve the CDC’s ability to disseminate data and information to state health officers, policy makers and the public; improve support of state and local health departments; expand global health initiatives; help people live healthier lives; and reduce illness, disability and deaths.

Those goals are reflected in the changes, said Frieden, an expert in preparedness and health emergencies. For instance, the reorganization creates a new Center for Global Health, which will combine the work of the malaria branch, the epidemiology program and HIV/AIDS efforts.

There will also be several new posts. One deputy director, who will be in charge of the Office of State and Local Support, will work to strengthen and help state and local health departments.

Another deputy director, in charge of the Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services, will oversee efforts to improve the collection and use of data that can drive policy, science and public health.

“The single most important thing public health can do is to increase the degree to which decisions are made with good data,” Frieden said.

Also Ileana Arias has been named principal deputy director of the CDC. Arias has previously served as acting deputy director and as Frieden’s principal adviser on all scientific and programmatic activities.

Although the changes will take effect immediately, Frieden said there may be tweaks along the way.

“I think of organizational change as something that is an ongoing effort,” he said.

No reduction in work force is associated with the reorganization of the agency, which employs about 10,000 full-time staffers and as many as 6,000 contractors.

Frieden praised the CDC staff, which he called the “stronger part of this organization. It’s just astonishing the degree of expertise at the CDC.”

The potential “for us to help Americans live longer, healthier lives is almost unlimited,” Frieden said.

As the former New York health commissioner, Frieden led efforts to ban smoking in restaurants and bars and to expand the labeling of unhealthy ingredients in foods. He succeeded Dr. Julie Gerberding as CDC director. During her tenure, the agency faced morale issues and complaints that it had veered away from science and become too political.

“Time will tell whether this restructuring will help the CDC keep credibility and build trust in and out of the organization,” said Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), who has monitored CDC morale issues for several years. “I’ll continue to keep an eye on their efforts.”