Embrace Medicine, Not Divisive Politics
The August attack on the CDC in Atlanta by a gunman was an act beyond comprehension. But it’s a rude awakening, because science and healthcare are under assault. How did we as a nation become so divided that we are attacking medical institutions and the people who joined a profession that’s meant to help us?
On a lovely sunny day in the early ’80s, an Indian couple in Macon, Georgia, marked a milestone. It was the day they brought home their six-week-old son, born prematurely by 10 weeks. Although eager for normalcy, they knew he was fragile. They would have to take extra care of him, protect him from illness, and treat any medical situation cautiously. And so for the next 18 years, until he left for college, that’s what they did. Every vaccine was given on time. There were no questions, arguments, or negotiations when it came to the child’s health. They were grateful that the diseases they had heard of and seen in India were not plaguing the community here. Thanks to living in a country with an advanced health system, they had ways to protect their most precious gift—which was actually me.
Now in my mid-40s, I remember an era when science and public health were not challenged. Growing up in Atlanta, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) was a mecca. When I was a student at Emory University, I would walk by the CDC every day. Post 9/11, when the anthrax scare made us aware of bioterrorism, the world was watching the CDC—the ultimate source for reliable information and guidance.
But now, the venerable CDC and the scientific establishment are in the crosshairs of partisan politics and debates centering on vaccines and medicine that have less to do with science and more with ideology. Of course, skepticism is not new. And let me tell you that as a physician I am the first to advise patients and families to advocate for themselves. Knowledge is power. Reading and researching—not to mention knowing things about medications, vaccines, disease stats, surgeries, etc.—remains all so important.
Nonetheless, over the years, I’ve seen political administrations mostly align with the science, physician experts, and the medical community. Now we’re seeing the opposite. This is not to say that science can’t be challenged, or guidelines changed and tweaked. However, if we care about public health, we must care about the community. Good health starts with disease prevention, and a fundamental part of that preventative care is vaccines. In 2009, when I was training in internal medicine and pediatrics, we had the H1N1 influenza epidemic. That may seem like a blip compared to the crisis unleashed by Covid-19, but it was a big deal, as is any influenza-related death. I saw a 9-year-old boy with no preconditions succumb to the flu. It was devastating.
Fast forward to 2023. A few weeks after being vaccinated for the flu, I had confirmed H1N1 flu. I never felt sicker. Fevers, sweats, weakness, delirium, coughing, and the worst sore throat . . . I was miserable! I even needed IV fluids in the ER. Bloodwork showed that my inflammatory numbers were skyrocketing. I was so frustrated. “Just think,” the astute ER doctor reminded me. “Your body responded like this with the vaccine. Without it, you may be dead or on a ventilator in the ICU.” That’s the truth. I thankfully recovered, and I’m thankful that I was vaccinated.
Let me dispel myths that your doctor gets rich from administering the vaccine. Doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and hospitals must pay a lot of money for storage freezers and maintenance of vaccines. Reimbursements by insurance companies don’t cover the full cost. At best, those administering the vaccines are breaking even, not profiting.
RFK Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, wants to make America healthy again. And you know what? I’m so aligned with that general principle! Yes, I want to be healthy. Yes, I want to live a long life. Yes, I could improve my nutrition, and there are lifestyle changes that I should make. I love the idea of amplifying the message to focus on being healthy. What’s not being done is promoting things that are proven to protect us from diseases. There’s so much skepticism on so many aspects of healthcare and public health. And this is coming from the top public health leader in the country. It’s dividing us beyond repair. The attack on the CDC and continuing chaos are consequences of all this, and I fear it will keep getting worse.
Those who critiqued the CDC during the pandemic, and said their communication strategy was flawed, had a point. Nevertheless, from my perspective as a physician who cared for hospitalized Covid patients, led a medical team, and responded in real time during the crisis, I can tell you that the overall situation was very fluid. There was a lot of uncertainty, and decisions had to be made quickly. I sincerely believe that every recommendation was made with the best intention.
Unfortunately, the healthcare system that was fragile when challenged with Covid is exponentially worse with the current threats. As a supervising physician once told me, “Ignore the politics. Learn the medicine.” I would change it slightly and say, “Ignore the politics, embrace the medicine, and advocate for yourself.”
Dr. Dhaval R. Desai, a dual board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, is the author of Burning Out on the COVID Front Lines. A frequent speaker on mental health, resilience, and the importance of human connection in medicine, he has launched a Direct Primary Care / Concierge Medicine practice in Sandy Springs, GA (www.dhavaldesaimd.com).
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