Are health agencies working in our best interest?

Elliot (No)

No government organization is ever immune from the possibility of corruption. An organization isn't automatically altruistic just because it operates in the healthcare field. And even if one of these organizations starts out as a well-meaning health agency run by people who want to make a positive impact, there's no guarantee it won't be slowly subverted, corrupted, and hijacked over time—turning it into something that only serves a select few individuals. 

Take Dr. Fauci and his NIH-funded gain-of-function research, for example. One could easily argue that this does not serve humanity's best interests, but these organizations continue ahead without any real oversight or approval from voters, as these bureaucracies are populated by unelected employees who are not accountable to the taxpayers who fund them. We also have to consider how a vast number of healthcare agencies are inexorably linked with big pharma – including the CDC. The conflict of interest here is quite obvious, and while the CDC is supposed to be protecting us from dangerous drugs, it is, in reality, beholden to corporate interests—and profit is often more important than safety. The WHO also played a role in covering up China's involvement with the COVID-19 pandemic, and they even promoted explicit sexual education for young children. The sexualization of children at an early age serves no one's best interests. 

Then there's the problem these agencies have in being influenced by outside lobbying groups. In reality, a 'legal bribery' system allows corporations and other union groups to encourage officials to approve whatever drug or product they want. Finally, we should remember that behind these healthcare agencies, there are normal, flawed beings at work, which means we can trust them to a certain extent, and certainly not blindly.

Siam (Yes)

Public trust in health agencies like the CDC has recently decreased. But despite the wavering and misreporting of the pandemic and the use of masks, public health agencies are after the greater good for all Americans. First and foremost, the nation's health and well-being are of vital national interest. In today's fast-moving, interconnected world, a disease threat anywhere can quickly be a health threat to Americans—and no one knows disease better than agencies like the CDC and NIH.  

Since infections have no geographical borders, these public health agencies have global initiatives to protect Americans from major health disorders like the Zika virus, Ebola, and influenza pandemics. Early detection and control over outbreaks reduce healthcare costs and save lives. 

The CDC has always used its knowledge and past experiences from abroad to protect Americans from the same infections. There are hardly any other comparable agencies like the CDC that provide 24/7 unique and critical services to Americans. Its programs are run by top experts in many disciplines, including physicians, scientists, epidemiologists, etc., and they also work in partnership with the WHO and UN to coordinate global health strategies and priorities. These public health agencies provide travel information warnings to other nations and play a vital role in the education of Americans on preventive health such as food poisoning outbreaks. And besides health, these agencies also promote safety on guns and driving. The information on the public health agencies is free for use, and they also offer hotlines for concerned Americans.

Because public health agencies work closely with governmental agencies, they’re accountable with a high level of transparency. Public health measures have significantly increased life expectancy over the past two centuries due to the control of infectious disorders, safer food, improved sanitation, and social improvements.