Jan 24 (Reuters) – U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky is opening a new office as part of an overhaul of the agency to prioritize public health response.
The CDC had said in August that it would make a series of changes after months of criticism for its handling of COVID-19 and the Mpox crisis.
Citing a person who attended a town hall meeting at the agency’s Atlanta headquarters on Tuesday, the report said Walensky is establishing an office of public health data, surveillance and technology aimed at filling critical gaps in monitoring potential threats.
The CDC director has also created an office of health equity that will report to her team, Bloomberg said, adding that more units at the agency will report directly to her office.
The CDC did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
The report added that Walensky has created a new position for director of external affairs that will focus on strengthening relationships with governments and nonprofits, although the position has not yet been filled.
Reporting by Sriparna Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila
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