Statement from ASTHO CEO Joseph Kanter, MD, MPH, on CDC Headquarters Attack

August 12, 2025

ARLINGTON, VA — The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) Chief Executive Officer Joseph Kanter, MD, MPH, issued the following statement today:

“In the aftermath of a gunman opening fire on the headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last Friday, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials expresses our deepest solidarity with CDC employees and the broader public health community. Public health professionals across this country show up to work each day with one singular goal — to help improve the health and wellness of other people. In this time of heated rhetoric and polarization, we implore everyone to help dampen inflammatory slander undeservingly aimed at public health professionals and endeavor to recognize the collective humanity public servants across all sectors embody.

We also honor the life of DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose and express our deepest gratitude to his family as his sacrifice in the line of duty undoubtedly saved lives.”

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ASTHO is the national nonprofit organization representing the public health agencies of the United States, the U.S. territories and freely associated states, and Washington, D.C., as well as the more than 100,000 public health professionals these agencies employ. ASTHO members, the chief health officials of these jurisdictions, are dedicated to formulating and influencing sound public health policy and to ensuring excellence in public health practice.