NEW YORK (AP) – The head of the nation’s top public health agency once opposed condoms and needle exchange programs as ways to stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
This week, in one of his first media interviews since taking office, Dr. Robert Redfield Jr. said his views have changed.
Redfield became director of the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in March. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as a top researcher into the emerging AIDS epidemic. But at the time he was criticized for being out of step with the public health community on some issues.
Dr. Robert Redfield Jr., director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is photographed at the agency’s headquarters in Atlanta, Thursday, June 28, 2018. The head of the nation’s top public health agency once opposed condoms and needle exchange programs as ways to stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. But in one of his first media interviews since taking office, Redfield said his views have changed. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Redfield told The Associated Press it has become clear to him that condoms and needle exchanges work as part of comprehensive programs to stop the spread of certain infectious diseases.
Dr. Robert Redfield Jr., director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is photographed at the agency’s headquarters in Atlanta, Thursday, June 28, 2018. Redfield, 66, rose to prominence as a top researcher into the emerging AIDS epidemic. He has earned praise for his extensive experience treating HIV patients as well as drug addicts. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Dr. Robert Redfield Jr., director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is photographed at the agency’s headquarters in Atlanta, Thursday, June 28, 2018. Once known for condemning condoms and clean needles, the new chief of the nation’s top public health agency pledges to use all tool to end AIDS and prevent disease. Redfield spoke of his views and goals for the CDC in a rare interview this week. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Dr. Robert Redfield Jr., director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is photographed at the agency’s headquarters in Atlanta, Thursday, June 28, 2018. During an interview on Thursday, Redfield said that it has become clear to him that condoms and needle exchanges work as part of comprehensive programs to stop the spread of certain infectious diseases. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Advertisement
Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.