Herding Scientists
A Story of Failed Reform at the CDC

When politicians reshape public health agencies, scientists resist changes. These shifts make it harder to fight future pandemics.

Andrew B. Whitford (Author)

9781108824101, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 12 May 2022

75 pages
23 x 15.2 x 0.4 cm, 0.14 kg

When politicians reshape public health agencies, scientists resist changes and, if possible, leave. Those shifts make it harder for agencies to fight future public health threats. This Element focuses on the tension between scientists and managerial control in the policy process, both conceptually and empirically. It centers on a failed attempt to reorganize the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Because many of the gains in longevity and health quality result from the work of public health agencies, public health scientists and practitioners are the frontline producers of public health.

1. Introduction
2. Scientists,managerial control, and reform
3. Strategic change at the CDC
4. Reactions to reform efforts
5. Data on the views of employees
6. Conclusion: Herding scientists
Bibliography.

Subject Areas: Public health & safety law [LNTJ], Occupational health & safety law [LNHH], Health economics [KCQ]