Undermining Public Health: Nearly 1300 Cut From CDC With More to Come

CDC

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The Trump administration’s unprecedented decision to fire nearly 1,300 employees at the CDC is shortsighted and a direct threat to public health in the US and globally. This drastic reduction of approximately one-tenth of the CDC's workforce comes as the world is still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic and facing new and emerging health threats. Such a move undermines the critical work of the CDC, an institution historically seen as a global leader in disease control and a trusted source of public health information.

STAT reported that thousands more will be let go at the National Institutes of Health before the end of the day.

US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who was confirmed yesterday, February 13, 2025, had said during his own presidential campaign that he and would give infectious-disease research at the NIH “a break” for 8 years.

One of the most alarming aspects of this decision is its sweeping nature. Both new hires and veteran staffers recently promoted to management roles are affected. This move dismisses individuals who have dedicated their careers to public health, many with advanced degrees and extensive experience. With 60% of the CDC workforce holding master's degrees or doctorates, the agency is rich in scientific expertise that is now being jeopardized.

The CDC is indispensable in safeguarding public health through disease prevention, health education, and emergency response. Gutting the agency's workforce will compromise its ability to respond to outbreaks, conduct research, and provide critical health information. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of having a robust public health infrastructure, and weakening the CDC now would be akin to dismantling the defenses that protect us from future crises.

Furthermore, cutting staff during any ongoing global health crisis is reckless. Mpox, measles, dengue, COVID-19, oropouche, and many others have stretched health care systems to their limits, and the CDC has been at the forefront of the response, providing guidelines, conducting research, and supporting vaccination efforts. Reducing the workforce will hinder the agency's ability to assist, let alone prepare for new threats such as emerging infectious diseases, bioterrorism, and the growing burden of chronic diseases.

Aaron B, an infectious diseases epidemiologist at Maryland Department of Health, wrote on Linkedin,

“The Trump administration’s campaign to slash the federal civil service will hit one of the crown jewels of global public health on Friday. Many of the members of the #EpidemicIntelligenceService, a legendary training program run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, were warned on Friday morning that they were about to be fired, two people with knowledge of the meeting told STAT.

The EIS, as it is known, is the world’s premier training program for applied #epidemiology. Many public health leaders at the CDC and elsewhere in the world are graduates of the EIS, which was established in 1951 by the CDC’s then-chief epidemiologist Alexander Langmuir, in part because of Cold War era concerns about the threat of germ warfare.

EIS officers make up the frontline in public #HealthEmergencies, both in the United States and abroad. When a difficult disease outbreak hits, when state health departments need assistance tracing the source of foodborne illnesses, EIS officers are dispatched. They were among the first responders when letters laced with anthrax were mailed to legislators and news outlets around the country in 2001.”

The timing of these cuts is particularly troubling, given the CDC's complex challenges. The agency's work extends beyond infectious disease control to monitoring chronic diseases, promoting health and wellness, and addressing health disparities. The loss of these employees will significantly impede these efforts, leaving research, surveillance, and community outreach gaps. The ripple effects of these cuts will be felt within the CDC and the broader public health landscape.

According to an NPR article, “In response to a request for comment on the cuts, Andrew Nixon, director of communications at HHS, wrote in an email to NPR: "HHS is following the Administration's guidance and taking action to support the President's broader efforts to restructure and streamline the federal government. This is to ensure that HHS better serves the American people at the highest and most efficient standard."

Moreover, how these cuts were announced—a verbal notice from the HHS with little clarity on the timeline for individual notifications—reflects a lack of respect and consideration for the affected employees. Providing only 4 weeks of paid administrative leave offers little solace to those who have committed their lives to public health. This abrupt and poorly communicated decision adds unnecessary stress and uncertainty to a strained workforce.

Critics may argue that budget constraints necessitate such measures, but the CDC's $9.2 billion core budget is a small price to pay for its immense value in protecting public health. Investing in public health infrastructure yields long-term benefits, including reduced healthcare costs, improved population health, and enhanced preparedness for future emergencies. Cutting staff to achieve short-term budgetary savings is a false economy that will ultimately cost more regarding lives lost, disease spread, and economic impact.

The decision also raises concerns about the politicization of public health. The CDC has long been regarded as an apolitical entity focused on science and evidence-based practice. However, these cuts appear to be driven by political motives rather than sound public health policy. Undermining the CDC's workforce undermines public trust in the agency, which is particularly dangerous at a time when misinformation and disinformation about health—especially infectious diseases—are rampant.

The international implications of these cuts cannot be ignored. The CDC has a strong presence globally, with over 2,000 staff working in other countries to combat infectious diseases and promote health initiatives. Reducing the workforce will weaken these international efforts, diminishing the US’s role as a global health leader. In an interconnected world, health threats know no borders, and a weakened CDC puts Americans and populations worldwide at risk.