In a compelling address at Cornell University on October 16, Dr. Robert M. Califf, the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), encouraged students, faculty, and community members to confront the pressing health challenges facing the United States. Speaking at Willard Straight Hall, Califf emphasized the importance of innovation and courage in addressing the nation’s health care issues.
“In the United States, it’s OK to fail,” Califf stated, urging future scientists to embrace challenges in the face of urgent health needs. He pointed out the staggering $4.8 trillion spent on health care in 2023, questioning how this vast expenditure is not yielding better outcomes for Americans. “Important things happen when people have the courage to do things differently,” he added.
The event was part of a two-day visit by Califf to New York City and Ithaca, where he engaged with leaders from hospitals, universities, and government agencies. His discussions included a fireside chat at Weill Cornell Medicine with Dr. Robert A. Harrington, where similar themes emerged regarding innovation and application in health care.
Califf highlighted that while the U.S. leads globally in innovation, it ranks poorly among high-income countries in applying that knowledge effectively to improve health outcomes. “We’re essentially in last place and continuing to lose ground,” he remarked during his talk at Weill Cornell Medicine.
During his visit to Ithaca, Califf participated in a panel discussion moderated by Krystyn J. Van Vliet, Vice President for Research and Innovation at Cornell. The conversation included prominent figures such as Lorin D. Warnick, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine; Rachel Dunifon, Dean of the College of Human Ecology; and Jeff Niederdeppe, Senior Associate Dean at the Brooks School of Public Policy.
A key topic was the FDA’s role in the emerging “food is medicine” philosophy, which integrates diet into health management and disease prevention strategies. Califf acknowledged that while food safety is a critical mission of the FDA, addressing chronic diseases linked to diet is paramount. “What are you eating every day and how does it affect your health?” he posed to the audience.
While recognizing the challenges of regulating dietary practices, Califf emphasized that safety remains the FDA’s top priority. The agency oversees a wide range of products affecting public health—including food safety—while also promoting innovation and educating consumers about healthy choices.
Califf also addressed significant issues such as health disparities and the recent Supreme Court Chevron decision that impacts regulatory authority. He encouraged students to engage in public discourse to counter misinformation about health policies and pursue careers that influence policy design.
As he concluded his remarks, Califf underscored the necessity for collaborative efforts among various stakeholders—ranging from government agencies to private industry—to tackle America’s alarming health trends. “Cornell is a particularly important place,” he noted, given its resources as a land-grant institution with a strong health system.
Dr. Califf’s visit serves as a call to action for the Cornell community and beyond to focus on innovative solutions for improving public health in the United States.
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