The Man Reshaping American Health Policy
Jim O'Neill has become one of the most influential and controversial figures in US public health. As Deputy Health Secretary, he holds dual roles at the top of the country's federal health and science agencies, overseeing a department with a budget exceeding one trillion dollars. His portfolio includes the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and ARPA-H, the agency tasked with pursuing biomedical breakthroughs.
In an exclusive interview with MIT Technology Review, O'Neill signaled that the already contentious changes to America's childhood vaccine schedule may not be finished. Last month, the CDC removed universal recommendations for flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, and meningococcal disease vaccines for children. The decision was widely condemned by medical groups and public health experts, and the majority of states have rejected the new recommendations. Two children have died during the largest measles outbreak in the US in decades, linked partly to declining vaccine uptake.
A Longevity Agenda at the Heart of Government
Beyond vaccines, O'Neill revealed ambitious plans to make longevity research a cornerstone of federal health policy. ARPA-H, under new director Alicia Jackson, is pivoting toward aging-focused programs. Jackson, who previously founded a company focused on women's health and longevity, was recruited partly because of her interest in extending human healthspan. O'Neill helped recruit her personally.
The agency's programs include a $170 million investment over five years dedicated to growing new organs for transplantation. O'Neill also highlighted work by Andrew Brack, whose program focuses on finding biological markers of aging, and Jean Hebert, who aims to find ways to replace aging brain tissue incrementally. O'Neill described Hebert's brain tissue replacement research as particularly exciting.
A Self-Described Vitalist
When asked about Vitalism, a philosophical movement for longevity enthusiasts who believe death is wrong and that defeating aging is scientifically plausible, O'Neill confirmed he agrees with all five of its core statements, including that death is humanity's core problem and that obviating aging is scientifically plausible. He acknowledged being a Vitalist in philosophy if not in formal membership.
The consumer advocacy group Public Citizen has described O'Neill as one of the worst appointments in the administration, arguing that his libertarian views are antithetical to basic public health principles. His confirmation hearing in May saw him express support for the CDC's vaccine schedule, a position that appears to have shifted significantly since taking office.
What Comes Next
O'Neill's interview paints a picture of a health department being reshaped around longevity science and a more skeptical approach to traditional vaccine policy. Whether this represents visionary reform or dangerous experimentation depends largely on whom you ask. What is clear is that the guidelines remain in flux, and further changes may be coming.
This article is based on reporting by MIT Technology Review. Read the original article.
