In a significant personnel move that signals potential shifts in federal health policy, Martin Kulldorff, the former chair of a key Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory committee, has joined the Department of Health and Human Services to work directly with incoming Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The appointment, announced December 1, places Kulldorff in the role of chief science officer for the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. This strategic position puts him at the helm of the department’s primary think tank, where he will be responsible for providing critical policy recommendations to the health secretary.
Kulldorff’s transition from his previous role as chair of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices represents a notable shift in the federal health landscape. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices serves as a crucial body that provides guidance to the CDC on vaccine recommendations and immunization policies affecting millions of Americans.
The appointment comes at a time when Kennedy’s selection as Health Secretary has generated considerable discussion about potential changes in federal health policy approaches. Kulldorff’s new role will position him as a key adviser in shaping policy directions within one of the federal government’s most influential health agencies.
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, where Kulldorff will now serve, functions as HHS’s principal policy research and analysis unit. This office plays a fundamental role in developing evidence-based policy recommendations across a broad spectrum of health and human services issues, from public health initiatives to healthcare delivery systems.
As chief science officer, Kulldorff will be expected to guide scientific analysis and research that informs major policy decisions affecting American healthcare. His background and experience with immunization practices will likely prove valuable as the department navigates complex public health challenges and policy development.
This personnel change reflects the incoming administration’s approach to staffing key health positions with individuals who bring specific expertise and perspectives to federal health policy development. The move underscores the importance the new leadership places on having experienced advisers in positions that directly influence national health strategies.
The transition in leadership roles at both the CDC advisory level and within HHS signals potential shifts in how federal health agencies may approach policy development and implementation in the coming years.
