west Coast States Form Health Alliance Amid CDC Turmoil and Rising COVID Cases
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A summer COVID wave is spreading across California, with positivity rates doubling from the end of July to over 12% at the end of August. San Diego County is experiencing a similar increase, with nearly 13% of tests returning positive. Simultaneously, several state governors are banding together to issue public health guidance, spurred by turmoil within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while florida plans to end all vaccine mandates statewide.
Rebecca Fielding Miller, an associate professor of public health at UC San Diego, joined KPBS Midday Edition to discuss these developments. She described the situation at the CDC as a “tragedy,” noting the politicization of public health work to the point of endangering those involved.She believes the new West Coast Health Alliance – formed by the governors of Oregon, Washington, and California – is a crucial step to “counterbalance that and make sure people can still get evidence based advice from a reputable public health agency.”
Miller explained that scientific recommendations are now subject to political review, possibly distorting data to fit political agendas. This makes the alliance of states not “ideologically co-opted” all the more critically important in providing accurate details.
Historically, the CDC has functioned as an advisory board, with states retaining significant control over public health recommendations. Miller emphasized that states have the authority to issue guidance, even if it differs from federal guidelines, as long as it’s based on sound science.
Regarding Florida’s decision to eliminate vaccine mandates for children, and the state surgeon general’s controversial comparison of mandates to slavery, Miller called it “sad,” highlighting the life-saving impact of vaccines and expressing concern over the influence of political appointees lacking relevant expertise.
Public Health Expert Discusses Current Issues on Midday edition
On today’s episode of midday Edition, host Jade Hindman interviewed Rebecca Fielding Miller, an associate professor of public health at UC San Diego, offering valuable insights and advice. The conversation, which aired on September 3, 2025, provided a platform for discussing pressing public health concerns.
Interview highlights with Professor Rebecca Fielding Miller
Rebecca Fielding Miller is an associate professor in the Department of public Health at the University of California, San Diego. Her research focuses on[[note: Specific research areas where not provided in the source text. This section would be populated with information from her UC San Diego faculty profile or recent publications. For the purpose of this example, it remains a placeholder.].
During the interview, Professor Miller shared “solid advice” on[[Note: Specific advice topics were not provided in the source text. This section would be populated with details from the interview itself. To this example,it remains a placeholder.]. Her expertise provides a valuable outlook on navigating current health challenges.
About the Participants
- Jade Hindman: Host of Midday Edition, a program known for its in-depth discussions on local and regional issues.
- Rebecca Fielding Miller: Associate Professor of Public Health at UC San Diego, bringing academic rigor and practical insights to public health conversations.
Midday Edition and its Focus
Midday Edition is a radio program that airs on[[Note: The radio station was not provided in the source text. This section would be populated with the station information. For the purpose of this example, it remains a placeholder.]. It covers a wide range of topics relevant to the San Diego community, including politics, arts, culture, and, importantly, public health.
Key Takeaways
- The interview featured expert advice from a leading public health professional.
- Rebecca Fielding Miller is a valuable resource for understanding public health issues.
- Midday Edition continues to provide informative discussions on important community topics.
The conversation concluded with Hindman thanking Professor Miller for her time and wishing listeners a “great day on purpose.” This emphasizes the program’s commitment to providing not only information but also a positive and proactive outlook.