Tom Frieden: Bold pioneer of US public health

doi:10.1136/bmj.b3565

Published 8 September 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b3565
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;339:b3565

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Tom Frieden: Bold pioneer of US public health

Karen McColl, freelance writer

karen@karenmccoll.co.uk

As the US continues to debate health reforms, Tom Frieden, headof the CDC, tells Karen McColl that prevention must be the priority

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Health could hardly have been higher on the US agenda when TomFrieden started his job as director of the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention (CDC). Swine flu, healthcare reform,and the federal stimulus package were just three of the issuesin his in-tray on his first day on 8 June. The high profileof each of these issues, he says, has been "enough to have keptit a very interesting time."

Although responsibility for health policy largely rests withindividual states, and federal laws are decided in Washington,the CDC has a vital role in facilitating federal, state, andlocal action. The remit of the Atlanta based agency—withan overall budget of $10.1bn (£6.3bn; ${euro}$ 7.1bn) and a staffof over 14 000—covers health promotion, disease prevention,and preparation for new health threats. CDC is also an importantplayer in global health.