Ralph Abraham has resigned from his position as principal deputy director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC cited "unforeseen family obligations" as the reason. His departure deepens the leadership chaos at the agency, which has had three directors in the past year. A week earlier, Jay Bhattacharya, director of the National Institutes of Health, was appointed as acting CDC director.

Sudden Resignation of Deputy Director

Ralph Abraham resigned from his position as principal deputy director of the CDC, citing unforeseen family reasons. His departure is immediate.

Deepening Leadership Chaos

The CDC has had its third director in the past year. The departure of the second-in-command at the agency indicates instability at the very top.

Bhattacharya as Acting Director

A week before Abraham's resignation, Jay Bhattacharya, the former director of the National Institutes of Health, was appointed as acting director of the CDC.

Abraham's Controversial Figure

Abraham, the former Surgeon General of Louisiana, was criticized for downplaying the threat of the U.S. losing its measles-free status.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Monday the immediate resignation of Ralph Abraham from his position as the agency's principal deputy director. The reason given was "unforeseen family obligations." Abraham's departure, which came less than three months after he assumed the role, deepens the leadership crisis at a key federal public health institution. The CDC was established in 1946, originally as the Communicable Disease Center, to combat malaria. Over the decades, the agency gained international authority in responding to epidemics, from influenza to HIV/AIDS. Its role and prestige grew significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, although the agency also faced criticism at the time for delays and inconsistencies in communication. Abraham's resignation is another shock for the agency, which has already had three different directors in the past twelve months. A week before the deputy's resignation, Jay Bhattacharya, the former director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), was appointed as acting director of the CDC. It has not yet been announced who will replace Abraham as deputy director. Ralph Abraham, the former Surgeon General of Louisiana and a Republican Party politician, was a controversial figure. His brief tenure at the CDC was marked by statements downplaying the risk of the United States losing its status as a country that has eliminated measles. His remark, in which he called a potential return of endemic measles a "cost of doing business," drew sharp criticism from public health experts. Abraham was also known for his past skeptical stance on vaccinations. His sudden departure raises questions about the stability and direction of the agency in the face of potential future epidemic threats. The CDC, headquartered in Atlanta, plays a crucial role in the national and global health surveillance system.Further Changes in CDC Leadership: 2025 — Three Directors in One Year; February 16, 2026 — Bhattacharya Appointed Acting Director; February 23, 2026 — Deputy Director's Resignation

Mentioned People

  • Ralph Abraham — Former principal deputy director of the CDC, former Surgeon General of Louisiana
  • Jay Bhattacharya — Acting director of the CDC, director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)