# 3193
Not being from New York, I’m afraid I don’t know anything about Dr. Frieden beyond what is published below.
The job of Director of the CDC is a demanding one anytime, but Dr. Frieden is stepping in to it during the middle of what is likely to be a difficult and protracted global health crisis.
Obviously AFD wishes him, and the CDC, the very best of luck as they go forward.
Obama taps NYC health commissioner to head CDC
By STEVE R. HURST, Associated Press Writer Steve R. Hurst, Associated Press Writer –
NEW YORK – President Barack Obama on Friday appointed Dr. Thomas Frieden as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, turning to New York City's health commissioner to deal with the swine flu outbreak and other major health issues.
Frieden has served as commissioner for the past seven years, where he led a campaign to ban smoking in restaurants and bars, boosted the number of New Yorkers getting HIV tests and helped to distribute millions of free condoms.
In a statement announcing Frieden's appointment, Obama said the new CDC chief had been a "leader in the fight for health care reform, and his experiences confronting public health challenges in our country and abroad will be essential in this new role."
Frieden will inherit a looming decision on how best to manage a swine flu outbreak, including whether or how to produce a swine flu vaccine. The virus has infected 6,673 people in 35 countries.
