WASHINGTON \u2014 A vaccine adviser at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with ties to health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is being given a new portfolio that will have him overseeing research into adverse childhood experiences, according to documents reviewed by STAT and an agency employee familiar with the matter.<\/p>\n
William Thompson, who recently advised Kennedy on vaccine policy and has previously suggested the CDC omitted data on vaccine risks, will be temporarily promoted to the highest level of civilian government workers, a GS-15 with supervisory duties.<\/p>\n
In his new role, Thompson will look to align the research around adverse childhood events \u2014 which can include traumatic episodes or environments that undermine children\u2019s stability \u2014 with the agenda of Kennedy\u2019s Make America Healthy Again movement, according to the documents reviewed by STAT. He will also lead students and fellows in their research work.<\/p>\n
Through the promotion, Thompson is also expected to help shape parts of the agency\u2019s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, which monitors the health behaviors of high school students and is touted as the U.S.\u2019s largest public health surveillance system.<\/p>\n
STAT+ Exclusive Story<\/p>\n
Already have an account? Log in<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\tThis article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Already have an account? Log in<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tIndividual plans<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tGroup plans<\/p>\n![\"STAT+\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1765280600_844_stat-plus-breaker-bg.png\")
<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"STAT+\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.statnews.com\/wp-content\/themes\/stat\/images\/stat-plus-logo-white.svg\"){kind=logo}
\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\tUnlock this article \u2014 plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts.<\/p>\n