Deb Houry
@drdebhoury.bsky.social
ER doc, public health professional, researcher, and former chief medical officer at the CDC. Working to improve health in communities while figuring out what is next for me
Reposted by Deb Houry
Last week, the founders of @cdcmutualaid.bsky.social and @firedbutfighting.bsky.social, along with a former CDC employee, sat down for an interview with public radio host Rose Scott from WABE. You can listen here: www.wabe.org/cdc-mutual-a...
CDC Mutual Aid Network aims to ‘save public health’ and provide financial assistance to former and current employees
“Closer Look” host Rose Scott talked with guests about the mission of the newly formed CDC Mutual Aid Network that has connected former and current CDC employees to a wide range of resources and distr...
www.wabe.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Last week, the founders of @cdcmutualaid.bsky.social and @firedbutfighting.bsky.social, along with a former CDC employee, sat down for an interview with public radio host Rose Scott from WABE. You can listen here: www.wabe.org/cdc-mutual-a...
Reposted by Deb Houry
We’d like to end today with a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt:
We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it as not as dreadful as it appears, discovering that we have the strength to stare it down.
Just keep going. Goodnight, heroes.
We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it as not as dreadful as it appears, discovering that we have the strength to stare it down.
Just keep going. Goodnight, heroes.
November 26, 2025 at 2:04 AM
We’d like to end today with a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt:
We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it as not as dreadful as it appears, discovering that we have the strength to stare it down.
Just keep going. Goodnight, heroes.
We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it as not as dreadful as it appears, discovering that we have the strength to stare it down.
Just keep going. Goodnight, heroes.
Appreciate @nationalacademies.org speaking up about the RFK jr directed changes to CDC website and pointing out that the science cited did not include the greater context or full body of research. Where is the “radical transparency”?
National Academies - Statement on CDC’s Updated Vaccine Guidance
National Academies respond to CDC’s updated vaccine guidance, offering scientific context and clarity on vaccine safety.
www.nationalacademies.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Appreciate @nationalacademies.org speaking up about the RFK jr directed changes to CDC website and pointing out that the science cited did not include the greater context or full body of research. Where is the “radical transparency”?
Reposted by Deb Houry
On this Public Health Thank You Day, we're INCREDIBLY thankful for public health workers around the world - And of course, current and former CDC workers and CDC leaders. In many ways, our work and experience is needed now more than ever. We see you and we appreciate you!
November 24, 2025 at 4:17 PM
On this Public Health Thank You Day, we're INCREDIBLY thankful for public health workers around the world - And of course, current and former CDC workers and CDC leaders. In many ways, our work and experience is needed now more than ever. We see you and we appreciate you!
Enjoyed talking with @destiny.gg about how to communicate science with the public and my concerns with RFK Jr and his/HHS actions which are making us less safe www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uf4... I'm on around the one hour mark.
Chillin'/News
YouTube video by Destiny
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Enjoyed talking with @destiny.gg about how to communicate science with the public and my concerns with RFK Jr and his/HHS actions which are making us less safe www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uf4... I'm on around the one hour mark.
My thoughts on ABC news- Scientists, not political appointees, should be who advises the public on clinical guidance. RFK needs to meet with CDC career leaders and learn about the agency's responses to outbreaks and overall programs vs directing CDC website changes based on ideology not science
Video Former CDC chief on agency webpage saying autism, vaccines link ignored
Dr. Debra Houry, who resigned from her position as chief medical officer of the CDC in 2025, called the change on the CDC’s website "disturbing."
abcnews.go.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:10 PM
My thoughts on ABC news- Scientists, not political appointees, should be who advises the public on clinical guidance. RFK needs to meet with CDC career leaders and learn about the agency's responses to outbreaks and overall programs vs directing CDC website changes based on ideology not science
And we appreciate all that @firedbutfighting.bsky.social @altcdc.altgov.info and @cdcmutualaid.bsky.social continue to do for CDC staff and to protect the public's health. Standing shoulder to shoulder with you
Attitude of gratitude!
Spreading a bit of kindness!
Thanks #altgov family, @drdebhoury.bsky.social, @drdemetre.bsky.social, @altcdc.altgov.info.
More shout outs in comments. Spread some kindness and joy. Joy is resistance.
Spreading a bit of kindness!
Thanks #altgov family, @drdebhoury.bsky.social, @drdemetre.bsky.social, @altcdc.altgov.info.
More shout outs in comments. Spread some kindness and joy. Joy is resistance.
November 21, 2025 at 11:02 PM
And we appreciate all that @firedbutfighting.bsky.social @altcdc.altgov.info and @cdcmutualaid.bsky.social continue to do for CDC staff and to protect the public's health. Standing shoulder to shoulder with you
"When you remove scientists from science, you don’t get truth. You get ideology. " Signed D3- Deb, Dan, and @drdemetre.bsky.social
We are former CDC officials. RFK Jr.'s change to vaccine guidance is propaganda.
Under Secretary Kennedy, CDC materials can no longer be assumed to reflect scientific authority.
www.ms.now
November 21, 2025 at 11:01 PM
"When you remove scientists from science, you don’t get truth. You get ideology. " Signed D3- Deb, Dan, and @drdemetre.bsky.social
Thank you Dr. DiMaggio for sharing your frontline experiences as a pediatrician treating children dying from diseases that we seldom see now because of vaccines
Deadly horizon | Contemporary Pediatrics
A pediatrician warns of the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases, urging awareness of their devastating impacts on children's health.
www.contemporarypediatrics.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Thank you Dr. DiMaggio for sharing your frontline experiences as a pediatrician treating children dying from diseases that we seldom see now because of vaccines
Reposted by Deb Houry
"It's a dangerous loss for every American."
Recently, we were lucky to sit down with former CDC Medical Director @drdebhoury.bsky.social. Sharing her message about the thousands of CDC staff who have lost their jobs this year, and how you can help support them.
www.youtube.com/shorts/v0NLT...
Recently, we were lucky to sit down with former CDC Medical Director @drdebhoury.bsky.social. Sharing her message about the thousands of CDC staff who have lost their jobs this year, and how you can help support them.
www.youtube.com/shorts/v0NLT...
CDC Mutual Aid Network Video with Deb Houry
YouTube video by Gordi Studios
www.youtube.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:22 PM
"It's a dangerous loss for every American."
Recently, we were lucky to sit down with former CDC Medical Director @drdebhoury.bsky.social. Sharing her message about the thousands of CDC staff who have lost their jobs this year, and how you can help support them.
www.youtube.com/shorts/v0NLT...
Recently, we were lucky to sit down with former CDC Medical Director @drdebhoury.bsky.social. Sharing her message about the thousands of CDC staff who have lost their jobs this year, and how you can help support them.
www.youtube.com/shorts/v0NLT...
Reposted by Deb Houry
I've got a bad feeling about the upcoming flu season, given the fact that there are a bunch of subtypes at this party with the potential to wreak varying amounts of havoc. So I broke it all down here.
open.substack.com/pub/rasmusse...
open.substack.com/pub/rasmusse...
The Real Subtypes of the 2025 Flu Season
Have you ever been to a party where you sensed the messiness before it happened?
open.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:54 PM
I've got a bad feeling about the upcoming flu season, given the fact that there are a bunch of subtypes at this party with the potential to wreak varying amounts of havoc. So I broke it all down here.
open.substack.com/pub/rasmusse...
open.substack.com/pub/rasmusse...
Reposted by Deb Houry
CDC Mutual Aid Fund passed two milestones this month:
1. We have raised (and will fully distribute) over $100K to fired and furloughed CDC employees since April, thanks to our generous donors.
2. We have had an *800% increase in applications for assistance* since August.
1/3
1. We have raised (and will fully distribute) over $100K to fired and furloughed CDC employees since April, thanks to our generous donors.
2. We have had an *800% increase in applications for assistance* since August.
1/3
November 16, 2025 at 3:00 AM
CDC Mutual Aid Fund passed two milestones this month:
1. We have raised (and will fully distribute) over $100K to fired and furloughed CDC employees since April, thanks to our generous donors.
2. We have had an *800% increase in applications for assistance* since August.
1/3
1. We have raised (and will fully distribute) over $100K to fired and furloughed CDC employees since April, thanks to our generous donors.
2. We have had an *800% increase in applications for assistance* since August.
1/3
Reposted by Deb Houry
Science! Evidence based approaches can decrease chronic condition and improve health.
Science matters. Public health is your health.
Science matters. Public health is your health.
RCT: Home-delivered, low-sodium Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) groceries and dietitian support temporarily improved blood pressure and LDL cholesterol in Black adults with high BP versus monetary support.
ja.ma/43uIevv
ja.ma/43uIevv
November 13, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Science! Evidence based approaches can decrease chronic condition and improve health.
Science matters. Public health is your health.
Science matters. Public health is your health.
Reposted by Deb Houry
🇺🇸 Today is Veterans Day 🇺🇸
To our veterans: you deserve so much better: affordable housing, mental health care, food security, and more. Thank you for fighting for us. We are fighting for you
Want to honor veterans? Consider donating/volunteering at local/national veterans helping veterans programs
To our veterans: you deserve so much better: affordable housing, mental health care, food security, and more. Thank you for fighting for us. We are fighting for you
Want to honor veterans? Consider donating/volunteering at local/national veterans helping veterans programs
November 11, 2025 at 3:09 PM
🇺🇸 Today is Veterans Day 🇺🇸
To our veterans: you deserve so much better: affordable housing, mental health care, food security, and more. Thank you for fighting for us. We are fighting for you
Want to honor veterans? Consider donating/volunteering at local/national veterans helping veterans programs
To our veterans: you deserve so much better: affordable housing, mental health care, food security, and more. Thank you for fighting for us. We are fighting for you
Want to honor veterans? Consider donating/volunteering at local/national veterans helping veterans programs
Reposted by Deb Houry
📉 Public health funding was budgeted by Congress.
🦠 Outbreaks don’t pause for red tape, but budgets sure do per Russ Vought.
👉 When measles outbreaks hit and emergency funds are still “processing,” that’s not efficiency. That’s negligence dressed in bureaucracy.
🦠 Outbreaks don’t pause for red tape, but budgets sure do per Russ Vought.
👉 When measles outbreaks hit and emergency funds are still “processing,” that’s not efficiency. That’s negligence dressed in bureaucracy.
Wielding Obscure Budget Tools, Trump’s ‘Reaper’ Vought Sows Turmoil in Public Health - KFF Health News
Through shrouded bureaucratic maneuvers, White House budget director Russell Vought and DOGE have quietly upended outbreak response, HIV treatment, and dementia care in communities across America.
kffhealthnews.org
November 7, 2025 at 4:15 PM
📉 Public health funding was budgeted by Congress.
🦠 Outbreaks don’t pause for red tape, but budgets sure do per Russ Vought.
👉 When measles outbreaks hit and emergency funds are still “processing,” that’s not efficiency. That’s negligence dressed in bureaucracy.
🦠 Outbreaks don’t pause for red tape, but budgets sure do per Russ Vought.
👉 When measles outbreaks hit and emergency funds are still “processing,” that’s not efficiency. That’s negligence dressed in bureaucracy.
The furlough and firings at CDC hurt all all of us as the nation's public health agency is unable to respond to communities and is lacking basic functions like HR and IRB abcnews.go.com/US/video/cdc...
Video CDC staff are 'struggling' to keep Americans safe in shutdown: Former CDC leader
Dr. Deb Houry, former deputy director of the CDC, discusses the state of the agency amid terminations and a government shutdown.
abcnews.go.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:07 PM
The furlough and firings at CDC hurt all all of us as the nation's public health agency is unable to respond to communities and is lacking basic functions like HR and IRB abcnews.go.com/US/video/cdc...
Good trouble
❤️ D3
❤️ D3
November 5, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Good trouble
❤️ D3
❤️ D3
What a great idea! Thanks to @firedbutfighting.bsky.social, we can all support furloughed and fired federal employees who are offering a variety of services, including dog-walking, tutoring, graphic design, meal prep, and much more. For more information, visit firedbutfighting.org/talent-marke....
Talent Marketplace — Fired But Fighting
Welcome to the Talent Marketplace. You can help support federal workers during this difficult time. Furloughed and fired feds are available for services like dog-walking, tutoring, graphic design, mea...
firedbutfighting.org
November 4, 2025 at 11:03 PM
What a great idea! Thanks to @firedbutfighting.bsky.social, we can all support furloughed and fired federal employees who are offering a variety of services, including dog-walking, tutoring, graphic design, meal prep, and much more. For more information, visit firedbutfighting.org/talent-marke....
Reposted by Deb Houry
Ahead of #PHTYD on Nov. 24, ASTHO recognizes the essential work of the public health workforce — the dedicated professionals who protect, promote, and strengthen the health of communities.
Read our five reasons to be thankful for public health: https://discover.astho.org/4nws6Rb.
Read our five reasons to be thankful for public health: https://discover.astho.org/4nws6Rb.
November 3, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Ahead of #PHTYD on Nov. 24, ASTHO recognizes the essential work of the public health workforce — the dedicated professionals who protect, promote, and strengthen the health of communities.
Read our five reasons to be thankful for public health: https://discover.astho.org/4nws6Rb.
Read our five reasons to be thankful for public health: https://discover.astho.org/4nws6Rb.
Reposted by Deb Houry
The honor is all ours.
Context for others: as soon as I heard @drdebhoury.bsky.social's forthright, no-nonsense answers at the Senate hearing on what's happening to US health institutions right now, I was convinced we needed her to explain to our world audience.
Try: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzhK...
Context for others: as soon as I heard @drdebhoury.bsky.social's forthright, no-nonsense answers at the Senate hearing on what's happening to US health institutions right now, I was convinced we needed her to explain to our world audience.
Try: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzhK...
WATCH: Key moments from Senate hearing with former CDC officials Monarez, Houry
YouTube video by PBS NewsHour
www.youtube.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:38 AM
The honor is all ours.
Context for others: as soon as I heard @drdebhoury.bsky.social's forthright, no-nonsense answers at the Senate hearing on what's happening to US health institutions right now, I was convinced we needed her to explain to our world audience.
Try: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzhK...
Context for others: as soon as I heard @drdebhoury.bsky.social's forthright, no-nonsense answers at the Senate hearing on what's happening to US health institutions right now, I was convinced we needed her to explain to our world audience.
Try: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzhK...
Reposted by Deb Houry
The were many Science in Action 'regulars' I'd have loved to have on this farewell edition, but with the threat from antiscience as the theme, hugely grateful @michaelemann.bsky.social could join, along with @drdebhoury.bsky.social @angierasmussen.bsky.social & @naomioreskes.bsky.social.
"How science got here, and where next" | Honored to have been part of this panel discussion w/ an amazing panel of experts and the irreplaceable @peaseroland.bsky.social (whom we will all miss listening to on #BBC)
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...
BBC World Service - Science In Action, How science got here, and where next
As anti-science leaves research reeling, does evidence-based policy have a future?
www.bbc.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 9:37 PM
The were many Science in Action 'regulars' I'd have loved to have on this farewell edition, but with the threat from antiscience as the theme, hugely grateful @michaelemann.bsky.social could join, along with @drdebhoury.bsky.social @angierasmussen.bsky.social & @naomioreskes.bsky.social.
On halloween there’s nothing spookier than a future without CDC
October 31, 2025 at 8:31 PM
On halloween there’s nothing spookier than a future without CDC
Reposted by Deb Houry
It's the end of the road for BBC Science in Action. But science itself is facing growing roadblocks. For this terminal edition of SinA I'm joined by @naomioreskes.bsky.social @drdebhoury.bsky.social @michaelemann.bsky.social & @angierasmussen.bsky.social for where now?
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...
BBC World Service - Science In Action, How science got here, and where next
As anti-science leaves research reeling, does evidence-based policy have a future?
www.bbc.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 7:23 PM
It's the end of the road for BBC Science in Action. But science itself is facing growing roadblocks. For this terminal edition of SinA I'm joined by @naomioreskes.bsky.social @drdebhoury.bsky.social @michaelemann.bsky.social & @angierasmussen.bsky.social for where now?
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...
Thanks @apoorvanyt.bsky.social for calling out what is happening at CDC and the impact it will have. No transparency or strategy behind these cuts other than disruption
The CDC has lost a third of its work force this year. The Trump administration maintains that the losses are necessary, but critics say that there is no real plan, only animosity.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/h...
Behind the Dismantling of the C.D.C.: Reform or ‘Humiliation’?
www.nytimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Thanks @apoorvanyt.bsky.social for calling out what is happening at CDC and the impact it will have. No transparency or strategy behind these cuts other than disruption
Reposted by Deb Houry
Public servants do just that, serve the public. It’s in our character. Thank you, furloughed Feds, for continuing to give back.
Here in Seattle, furloughed NOAA employees were out in the pouring rain cleaning up beaches yesterday, part of a national week of service organized by federal workers who can't do their jobs due to the shutdown.
Story by @heyjohnryan.bsky.social at KUOW, our federally defunded public radio station.
Story by @heyjohnryan.bsky.social at KUOW, our federally defunded public radio station.
Furloughed feds pick up Seattle beach trash to keep serving the public
Furloughed federal employees were out in the rain picking up cigarette butts, bottle caps, and other trash at Seattle’s Golden Gardens Park on Friday.
www.kuow.org
October 25, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Public servants do just that, serve the public. It’s in our character. Thank you, furloughed Feds, for continuing to give back.