Senate Confirms Dr. Erica Schwartz as CDC Director

Why it matters locally: The confirmation of a permanent CDC Director directly impacts public health initiatives and funding that North Carolina receives for disease prevention, emergency preparedness, and health surveillance through agencies like the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Washington — The Senate has confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Her confirmation establishes a permanent director for the agency, a position that remained open for more than one year. Dr. Schwartz now assumes leadership of the CDC, an organization responsible for protecting public health and safety through the control and prevention of disease, injury, and disability.