Trump choses anti-lockdown researcher to head National Institutes of Health

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford University professor, to head the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya, a skeptic of COVID-19 precautions, will require Senate confirmation. Trump stated Bhattacharya will work with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to improve health and save lives. Other health-related nominees include Mehmet Oz and Dave Weldon. Bhattacharya’s research focuses on health economics and outcomes. He previously testified that COVID-19 responses had failed, contributing to over a million deaths in the U.S. Bhattacharya was involved in The Great Barrington Declaration, advocating for the protection of vulnerable populations during the pandemic. Critics noted the lack of research and endorsement of preventive measures. The current NIH director, Monica M. Bertagnolli, testified to Congress about rebuilding trust and focusing on rare diseases. The NIH, with a $48 billion budget, is crucial for funding research on challenging diseases. The agency is comprised of 27 centers and institutes dedicated to addressing health challenges in America.

Source
Photo credit marylandmatters.org