Trump Nominates Bhattacharya to Lead NIH

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford professor known for his opposition to COVID-19 lockdowns, to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Bhattacharya, who co-authored the Great Barrington Declaration advocating for herd immunity strategies during the pandemic, will work alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the prospective head of the Department of Health and Human Services. Trump's decision reflects a shift in public health policy, emphasizing economically sound, evidence-based research to tackle chronic illnesses. Bhattacharya's appointment signals a potential overhaul of the NIH, focusing on innovative research while reducing the influence of long-standing officials. His nomination, which requires Senate confirmation, underscores the ongoing impact of the pandemic on the politics of public health. The NIH, with a budget of $47.3 billion, is the nation's leading medical research agency, and Bhattacharya aims to reform it to restore public trust.