Debra Houry

Dr. Debra Houry, former chief medical officer at the CDC, shares her insights on the alarming public health implications of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s leadership. She reveals how political interference has affected vaccine policy, leading to her resignation. The podcast dives into RFK Jr.'s radical claims regarding Tylenol and autism, which have faced fierce backlash from the medical community. Houry also discusses the CDC's pandemic response mistakes and the rising tide of misinformation, leaving listeners questioning the agency's trustworthiness.

In this insightful discussion, Dr. Debra Houry, a former senior CDC official and California's new senior medical adviser, sheds light on the notable shift in public health authority as states respond to federal leadership failures. She reveals how expert guidance is being prioritized amidst Trump’s controversial appointments. Houry emphasizes the urgent need for competent public health strategies to fill dangerous gaps. The conversation also touches on the chaos within the FBI, unveiling how political loyalty is undermining essential institutions.

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from making big changes to vaccines for children in the United States. It’s a blow to Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy - RFK Jr - a longtime vaccine sceptic who was given free rein by Donald Trump to “go wild with health”.Since taking office a year ago, Kennedy has sought to slash the number of recommended shots for children from 17 to 11. The American Academy of Paediatrics and other large medical groups have sued, saying Kennedy's changes violate federal law and are based on ideology instead of science. In this episode, Marianna and Justin unpack what this means for Donald Trump’s big plan to - as he puts it - "Make America Healthy Again” with Dr Debra Houry, the former director of the CDC (Centre of Disease Control and Prevention) who resigned in August 2025. HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspondent GUEST: • Dr Debra Houry, former Medical Director of the Centres for Disease Control and PreventionGET IN TOUCH: • Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB • Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 • Email Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #AmericastAPPLY FOR CASTFEST TICKETS: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/castfest-2026This episode was made by Emma Close and Alix Pickles. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app.You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd Top Comment: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm