Thomas R. Frieden became director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry in 2009. Frieden has worked to control both communicable and noncommunicable diseases in the United States and around the world.
From 1992 to 1996, he led New York City’s program that controlled tuberculosis, including reducing cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis by 80 percent. He then worked in India for five years and assisted with national tuberculosis control efforts.
As commissioner of the New York City Health Department, Frieden directed one of the world′s largest public-health agencies. During his tenure, the number of smokers declined by 350,000, teen smoking decreased by half, and New York City became the first place in the United States to eliminate trans-fats from restaurants, monitor the diabetes epidemic, and require certain restaurants to post calorie information prominently. Under Frieden’s leadership, the department also established the largest community electronic health records project in the country.
Frieden also provided pro bono assistance to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and helped establish the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use.
Frieden previously worked for CDC from 1990 until 2002. He began his career at CDC as an epidemiologic intelligence service officer at the New York City Health Department.
Frieden received his medical degree and master’s of public health degree from Columbia University and completed infectious-disease training at Yale University. He has received numerous awards and honors and has published more than 200 scientific articles.