The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will lose nearly 1,300 positions, a significant 10% of its workforce, as part of broader federal layoffs targeting probationary employees without civil service protections. The Associated Press reported that the Atlanta-based agency’s leadership received notice of the cuts on Friday. These reductions stem from President Donald Trump’s administration's ongoing efforts to reshape parts of the federal government.
The CDC, operating under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), manages a $9 billion budget and serves as the nation’s first line of defense against infectious diseases. It also provides critical guidance on vaccines and public health issues. In recent years, the agency has faced heightened scrutiny during crises such as the Ebola and Zika outbreaks, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, public health officials are closely monitoring avian flu outbreaks, which threaten both bird populations and human health.
The decision coincides with the start of new HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s tenure. Kennedy has indicated plans to reallocate resources, shifting some focus from combating infectious diseases to addressing the root causes of chronic illnesses. However, critics argue these staffing cuts could weaken the CDC’s ability to respond to public health emergencies.
Lawmakers and advocacy groups voiced strong opposition to the move. Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff condemned the layoffs, calling them “indefensible” and warning of their impact on Americans’ health and the careers of top scientists. Similarly, the Fed Up! Coalition, which advocates for addressing the opioid crisis, expressed concern about reduced funding for CDC opioid surveillance programs. “This is a terrible loss,” the organization wrote on X, highlighting uncertainty about future resources for tracking opioid deaths and identifying hot spots.
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