Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States, affecting an estimated hundreds of thousands of Americans each year. In this episode of The Director’s Desk, NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya speaks with Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health and Director of National Health Communications for the Office of the Surgeon General, about Lyme disease, tick-borne illness, chronic symptoms, prevention, and the urgent need for better diagnostics and treatments.

The conversation explores how Lyme disease spreads through infected ticks, why some patients experience persistent symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, and neurological complications, and how NIH, HHS, FDA, CDC, and other partners are working to advance research and patient-centered solutions. The episode also discusses tick bite prevention, co-infections such as babesiosis and ehrlichiosis, and new approaches to understanding infection-associated chronic illnesses.

Dr. Haridopolos also shares insights on public health leadership, patient empowerment, children’s health, the Office of the Surgeon General, and national efforts to address chronic disease and improve health communication.

Listen to learn more about Lyme disease research, tick prevention, chronic Lyme symptoms, and how science is helping shape the future of diagnosis, treatment, and public health.

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