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The Atlanta CDC Shooting: A Stark Warning on the Deadly Power of Health Misinformation

<5 minute read

Copyright © 2018-2025 Dr David P Ruttenberg. All rights reserved.


CDC headquarters stands as a symbol of resilience and public health leadership, reflecting its pivotal role amidst recent challenges.
CDC headquarters stands as a symbol of resilience and public health leadership, reflecting its pivotal role amidst recent challenges.

Dear Reader,


The recent tragic shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta is the clearest warning yet that health misinformation is more than a nuisance—it is lethal. The shooter’s misguided fury was fueled by persistent anti-vaccine conspiracies, including the long-discredited myth falsely linking vaccines to autism. Decades of rigorous scientific research have thoroughly debunked this claim, yet it continues to cause destruction in families and communities.


As a neuroscientist, autism advocate, and father of a brilliant autistic daughter who inspires my life and work, this tragedy is profoundly personal. The widespread spread of such falsehoods not only **stigmatizes neurodivergent individuals and their families** but also erodes public trust in vital institutions. The consequences include fear, division, and now, even violence against public health workers and law enforcement.


The Real Human Cost of Misinformation


This shooting is a grim reminder: misinformation is not harmless chatter. It has deep, real-world consequences.


  • Neurodivergent families like mine suffer under stigmatizing myths that portray autism as a “vaccine injury,” which fosters misunderstanding and discrimination.

  • Eroded trust in science and healthcare drives vaccine hesitancy and worsens public health outcomes.

  • More alarmingly, misinformation has now sparked violent acts against those charged with protecting community health and safety—such as Officer David Rose, who lost his life defending the CDC.


Officer Rose’s sacrifice is a reminder of what’s at stake when lies spread unchecked. This tragic event should galvanize all of us—scientists, communicators, policymakers, and citizens alike—to value truth, compassion, and safety.


Daniel Share-Strom shares his inspiring perspective of an adult living with autism at the CDC's 2017 Annual Autism Awareness Event.

The Urgent Need for Radical Transparency and Empathy


Effective science communication today demands more than facts. It requires:


  • Radical Transparency: Openly sharing what is known, unknown, and how truth is discovered to build trust.

  • Centering Lived Experience: Neurodiverse voices must be central in conversations around autism, fostering inclusion and understanding.

  • Relentless Clarity with Compassion: Misinformation fills gaps left by fear and misunderstanding. We must fight falsehoods firmly yet kindly.


Infographic showing the benefits of transparency and empathy in science communication
Infographic showing the benefits of transparency and empathy in science communication

A Personal Mission: Protecting Neurodiversity in a Time of Unrest


This is not abstract for me—it is about my daughter and millions of families who deserve dignity and safety. Wherever misinformation spreads, neurodivergent communities feel the impact both socially and physically.


Our response must be courageous advocacy that balances scientific clarity with genuine human empathy. Silence only empowers the lies.


Moving Forward: How We Can All Make a Difference


  • Engage openly and empathetically with those hesitant about science.

  • Amplify neurodiverse voices to reshape narratives.

  • Support transparent, accessible science that communicates both discoveries and the scientific process.

  • Advocate for policies combating misinformation and protecting public health workers.


Remembering Officer David Rose


In honoring Officer Rose’s sacrifice, we recommit to defending science and empathy with our words and actions. The CDC and other public health institutions are pillars of trust—we must protect them beyond security measures, reinforcing public confidence and unity.


Join the Conversation


Your voice matters in combating misinformation and supporting neurodiversity. Share your thoughts in the comments below or reach out to continue this vital dialogue. Together, we can foster a healthier, safer, and more inclusive world.



References

  1. Taylor, L.E., Swerdfeger, A.L., & Eslick, G.D. (2014). Vaccines are not associated with autism: An evidence-based meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies. *Vaccine, 32*(29), 3623–3629.

  2. World Health Organization. (2019). Ten threats to global health in 2019. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/ten-threats-to-global-health-in-2019

  3. Ecker, C., & Kupfer, D.J. (2020). Misinformation and its impact on public health. *Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience, 45*(3), 149–150.

  4. CDC (2023). Vaccine hesitancy and its impacts. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/conversations/clinical-considerations/vaccine-hesitancy.html

  5. Pellicano, E., & Stears, M. (2020). The autism public health crisis and stigma. *Nature Reviews Psychology.*

  6. Larson, H.J., et al. (2018). Measuring trust in vaccination: a systematic review. *Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 14*(7), 1599-1609.

  7. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (2023). Police officer killed during CDC hostage crisis. https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-police-officer-killed/

  8. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2017). Communicating Science Effectively: A Research Agenda.

  9. Ne’eman, A. (2010). The Future (and the Past) of Autism Advocacy, Or Why the ASA’s Magazine, The Autism Advocate, Wouldn’t Publish This Piece. *Disability Studies Quarterly, 30*(1).

  10. Downes, S.M. (2022). Compassionate communication as a tool against misinformation. *Health Education Journal, 81*(3), 293–297.

  11. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. (2020). Addressing misinformation and building resilience in public health. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/addressing-misinformation-public-health


About the Author:

Dr David Ruttenberg PhD, FRSA, FIoHE, AFHEA is a neuroscientist, autism advocate, and Fulbright Specialist Awardee dedicated to advancing ethical artificial intelligence, neurodiversity accommodation, and transparent science communication. With a background spanning music production to cutting-edge wearable technology, Dr Ruttenberg combines science and compassion to empower individuals and communities to thrive. Inspired daily by their brilliant autistic daughter and family, Dr Ruttenberg strives to break barriers and foster a more inclusive, understanding world.

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