The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged the protection of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), emphasizing its critical role in safeguarding public health.
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the CDC’s contributions, describing the agency as a “center of excellence” that has shaped global health practices.
“No institution is perfect, and continued improvements are always needed to ensure the latest science is applied in real time,” he said in a statement on Sunday. “But the work of the US CDC has been invaluable and must be protected.”
His remarks come as the CDC undergoes leadership changes and amid debate over health policies under US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. While some critics argue that recent decisions could undermine Americans’ well-being, Ghebreyesus avoided direct criticism, instead underscoring the CDC’s legacy in advancing evidence-based public health.
He noted that the WHO’s longstanding collaboration with the CDC has not only benefited US citizens but also improved health outcomes worldwide by sharing vital science, data, and expertise.
The statement follows renewed tensions between US leadership and international health agencies, with past administrations questioning the WHO’s effectiveness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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