07: On the Frontlines of Public Service

Dr. Robert Redfield is the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Prior to becoming CDC’s Director, Dr. Redfield had a long and distinguished career in public health, including researching and contributing to the early scientific understanding of HIV, serving as the chief of infectious diseases and vice chair of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and serving on the president’s advisory council on HIV/AIDS from 2005 to 2009.

In this episode, Dr. Redfield shares his thoughts on eliminating HIV in the United States by 2030, why opioid disorder is the public health crisis of our time, and what it’s like to work with a team that puts science and data into action to improve the human condition.

For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations (www.cdcfoundation.org/conversations).

Key Takeaways:

[1:21] Dr. Redfield’s career path.
[3:11] Dr. Redfield in his early years working with HIV.
[6:45] Starting at CDC.
[7:19] Three priority areas at CDC.
[10:21] A plan to eliminate HIV in the USA by 2030.
[11:10] Prevention strategies are critical to public health.
[14:09] Progress made in opioid addiction.
[15:05] Drug use disorder as a medical condition and not a moral failing.
[15:51] The challenge with drug use disorder is confronting stigma.
[16:13] Where we are doing to address opioid addiction.
[19:18] Using data to address public health challenges.
[22:47] Dr. Redfield’s ambitious goals during his term at CDC.
[23:25] The most challenging part of being director of CDC.
[24:28] The most rewarding part of being CDC’s director.
[26:16] The biggest misconception about CDC’s work.
[28:26] The impact of CDC’s work globally.
[30:19] The importance of global health security.
[32:33] Public-private partnerships accomplish key goals.
[35:35] What Dr. Redfield has learned over the past year about CDC’s team.
[36:34] CDC’s team and being on the frontlines of public service.

Mentioned in This Episode:

CDC Foundation

Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America

PEPFAR

Answer this episode’s question: How has the work of CDC impacted your life? Email your answer to [email protected] and win some CDC Foundation merchandise.