On March 29, 2026, former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams appeared on CBS News' "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" to discuss critical public health issues facing the United States. Drawing from his experience as surgeon general during President Trump's first term, Dr. Adams emphasized that the nation's most urgent health threat is not opioids or obesity, but rather a pervasive mistrust in the healthcare system and public health information.
Dr. Adams began by highlighting a troubling paradox: although about 70% of Americans support childhood vaccines and school vaccination mandates, a similar majority express distrust toward health information from figures like Robert Kennedy and the Trump administration's surgeon general nominee, Dr. Casey Means. He warned that this erosion of trust could have severe consequences for public health and political outcomes alike, citing a memo from Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio that suggests vaccine-related messaging must be handled with nuance to resonate with voters. According to Adams, failure to address this growing mistrust-or worse, actions that deepen it-will ultimately harm Americans and may negatively affect Republican electoral prospects in the upcoming November elections.
Margaret Brennan then asked Dr. Adams why the existing public health infrastructure has been unable to contain the recent surge in measles cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported more than 1,500 confirmed measles cases in the U.S.
since January, including a significant outbreak in Utah. Dr. Adams attributed this failure largely to severe cuts in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) workforce, which has been reduced by nearly 20,000 employees.
He explained that while measles outbreaks occur annually, past cases were usually controlled quickly thanks to robust public health infrastructure and funding. However, with diminished capacity, what used to be outbreaks of a few cases now escalate to dozens or even hundreds. Compounding the problem, vaccination rates have fallen below the critical 95% threshold needed for herd immunity in many states, including Utah, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, and Kentucky.
Dr. Adams warned that the further below this threshold states fall, the more explosive and dangerous outbreaks become.
Brennan referenced the Fabrizio memo again, which cautions that vaccine policy must be carefully crafted because a slim majority of voters remain unconvinced about vaccine safety. Dr. Adams agreed that the Republican Party faces a difficult challenge, acknowledging parental frustration with the healthcare system. He stressed the importance of respecting patient autonomy but criticized the current health leadership for actively sowing distrust in vaccines and healthcare more broadly. He argued that it is possible to both honor patient autonomy and clearly communicate the scientific consensus: childhood vaccines, including the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, are safe, effective, and represent one of the greatest public health achievements of modern times. Reversing progress on vaccinations, he said, would be detrimental to the nation's health.
The conversation then turned to Dr. Casey Means, the Trump administration's nominee for surgeon general, who has drawn scrutiny for her stance on vaccines and professional qualifications. During her Senate confirmation hearing, when asked by Senator Bill Cassidy whether she would recommend the measles vaccine to a mother, Dr. Means replied that she supports vaccines and believes they save lives but emphasized that individuals should consult their personal doctors before taking any medication. Dr. Adams criticized this response as equivocal and insufficient, especially amid a significant measles outbreak. He pointed out that while Dr. Means is correct in noting she is not an individual's personal physician, the role of surgeon general is to serve as the "nation's doctor" and provide clear, authoritative public health guidance.
Beyond the vaccine question, Dr. Adams raised concerns about Dr. Means' qualifications. She does not hold an active medical license and would be the first surgeon general in U.S. history to serve without one, having voluntarily placed her license on inactive status after leaving her surgical residency. Dr. Adams emphasized that maintaining an active license is a standard requirement for medical professionals in public health leadership roles, including the Public Health Service Corps, and that he had previously dismissed staff for failing to meet this criterion. He argued that while Dr. Means may contribute to the administration in advisory capacities, her lack of an active license and equivocation on vaccines make her unfit for the surgeon general position.
Brennan noted that the current situation also lacks a Senate-confirmed CDC director, leaving a leadership vacuum amid the public health crisis. The discussion then shifted to the impact of social media on health, prompted by recent legal actions against Meta Platforms. A New Mexico jury found that Meta violated consumer protection laws by misleading users about the safety of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Additionally, a California lawsuit linked Meta to a young woman's depression. Dr. Adams, drawing on his medical expertise and experience as a parent of three teenagers, expressed strong concern about social media's effects, especially on youth mental health.
He referenced Surgeon General Vivek Murthy's report, which documents growing evidence connecting social media use in younger populations with increased anxiety, depression, disrupted sleep, and obesity. Dr. Adams likened social media's addictive design to the tactics historically used by cigarette manufacturers to hook children on smoking. He welcomed the ongoing conversation about the harms of social media and noted that some policy responses are already emerging. For example, Australia has banned social media use for individuals under 16, and many U.S. states are considering or passing legislation to restrict social media and phone use in schools. Dr. Adams urged society to seriously address the negative health consequences of unrestricted screen time and social media exposure among children.
In closing, Brennan asked about a recent recommendation from HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy, who advised parents not to allow children to sleep with their cellphones nearby due to potential harms. Dr. Adams fully endorsed this advice, citing guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics and California's health department. He explained that keeping phones out of children's bedrooms improves sleep quality and reduces exposure to bullying and other risks. Dr. Adams expressed a desire to find common ground with Secretary Kennedy on this issue, emphasizing the importance of protecting young people from harmful cellphone and social media use, particularly during nighttime hours.
In summary, Dr. Jerome Adams painted a sobering picture of America's current public health challenges. He identified mistrust as the foremost threat undermining efforts to control vaccine-preventable diseases like measles.
He criticized reductions in public health staffing and falling vaccination rates for enabling dangerous outbreaks. He voiced strong reservations about the qualifications and vaccine stance of the administration's surgeon general nominee, arguing that effective leadership requires both medical expertise and clear public health messaging. Furthermore, Dr.
Adams highlighted the growing mental health crisis linked to social media use, advocating for policy interventions to protect children from its addictive and damaging effects. Despite political differences, he found common cause with health officials on the need to limit children's nighttime exposure to cellphones. His insights underscored the complex interplay between public trust, leadership, and policy in safeguarding the nation's health.