NIH slow to name permanent directors at 15 of its 27 institutes
statnews.com • • health
Key Points:
- Top leadership positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are largely filled by acting directors, with no permanent heads at the CDC or FDA.
- President Trump's nominee for surgeon general remains unconfirmed, and the HHS top spokesperson recently resigned, adding to leadership instability.
- At the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 15 of 27 institutes are led by acting directors, creating a leadership vacuum that hinders long-term planning and funding assurances for research.
- The lack of permanent NIH institute directors raises concerns about the ability to prioritize critical scientific research and maintain stability for ongoing medical advancements.
- Patient advocacy groups emphasize that strong, permanent leadership is crucial for ensuring progress in lifesaving medical research and the development of new treatments.