{
  "id": 2021061,
  "title": "New CDC director acknowledges agency problems in first large staff meeting",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/new-cdc-director-acknowledges-agency-problems-in-first-large-staff-2021061",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-19T21:23:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/cdc-director-staff-meeting-cbcdef7292e48acfb420d01c32055547"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dr. Erica Schwartz addressed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) staff in her inaugural \"all hands\" meeting on Wednesday, acknowledging the agency's challenges and pledging to advocate for its needs. The newly appointed CDC director spoke of the agency's struggles with underfunded programs and exhausted employees. Dr. Schwartz, who took over from a series of temporary leaders, emphasized that she was committed to addressing these issues but stated she would not publicly disagree with U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. She explained that she would meet with CDC staff to gain a better understanding of the situation and potential solutions. Dr. Schwartz, who has experience in government roles with the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Public Health Service, affirmed her intention to advocate for the CDC, noting that the leadership vacuum following the previous director made advocacy necessary.",
  "summary": "NEW YORK (AP) — In her first large staff meeting, the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}