18: Seeing the Possible: A Conversation with CDC Director Robert Redfield

Overview: In March 2018, Robert R. Redfield became the 18th director of CDC, bringing to the role more than 30 years of experience as a public health leader engaged in the clinical research and care of viral infections and infectious diseases, especially HIV. Since then, HHS and President Trump have announced an ambitious plan to end HIV in America, a cause which Redfield considers a prominent part of his life's work. But public health challenges remain, including the opioid epidemic and anti-vaccine movement. In this wide-ranging conversation, Redfield shares insights into how his own personal experiences have shaped his priorities as CDC director, the importance of improved communication around vaccine education, CDC's strategy to end HIV transmission, and how the agency plans to support states and territories as they address the opioid epidemic and other public health challenges.    Guest: Robert R. Redfield, MD, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry    Resources: CDC Strategic Framework Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America