Mass Layoffs Hit HHS: Experts Sound Alarm on Public Health Consequences
2025-02-18
cidrap.umn
A recent wave of layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has sparked concerns among experts about the potential impact on public health. With up to 5,200 probationary employees facing dismissal, according to reports from the AP and other outlets, the effects could be far-reaching. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) alone is expected to lose around 1,300 employees, roughly 10% of its workforce. This significant reduction in staff may compromise the agency's ability to respond to health crises, highlighting the need for careful consideration of the long-term consequences of such drastic cuts, particularly in the context of global health security and disease prevention.
