President-elect Donald Trump has selected health economist Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates, to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya, a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, will work alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s choice to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Together, they aim to improve medical research and address the nation’s health challenges.
Bhattacharya was a co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration, which advocated for herd immunity and criticized lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite being a controversial figure, Bhattacharya’s nomination must be approved by the Senate. Trump also announced that Jim O’Neill will serve as the deputy secretary of HHS, focusing on improving management and accountability within the agency.
Bhattacharya has been critical of vaccine mandates, arguing that they erode trust in the public health system. He has faced restrictions on social media platforms due to his views and was involved in a Supreme Court case against the Biden administration. After Elon Musk acquired Twitter, Bhattacharya was invited to discuss his restricted views on the platform.
The National Institutes of Health, with a $48 billion budget, supports medical research in areas like vaccines, cancer, and opioid addiction. The agency’s work has led to significant advancements in medical treatments and the development of COVID-19 vaccines. Bhattacharya’s nomination signals a shift in the administration’s approach to public health, with a focus on challenging traditional viewpoints.
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