Trump appoints Jay Bhattacharya to lead National Institutes of Health

President-elect Donald Trump has selected Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya, a health economist known for opposing COVID lockdowns and vaccine mandates, co-authored the Great Barrington Declaration advocating for herd immunity. Trump stated that Bhattacharya will work alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his choice for the Department of Health and Human Services. Their goal is to enhance medical research and address major health challenges in the U.S. Additionally, Trump appointed Jim O’Neill as deputy secretary of the NIH. O’Neill has prior experience in Health and Human Services and is known for his libertarian views on federal regulation.