The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been facing a challenging work environment since the Trump administration took office in 2025. Mass firings, communication freezes, political interference in scientific missions, and a revolving door of leaders have all contributed to this turmoil. As a public health researcher and former CDC employee, I worked with a team to conduct an anonymous survey of over 600 CDC workers, revealing a workforce concerned about the agency's declining ability to protect Americans' health. The CDC's mission, which includes preventing, detecting, and controlling disease, is at risk due to workforce cuts and overwork. Key posts remain empty as an Ebola outbreak grows in Central Africa, raising questions about the U.S. government's ability to respond effectively. The survey found that 99% of CDC employees believe the administration's changes have reduced the agency's capacity to respond to public health emergencies. The CDC has lost over a quarter of its federal employee workforce, with over 1,000 employees fired and hundreds on administrative leave. This has led to burnout and pessimism among current employees, with 85% reporting burnout and 1 in 5 considering leaving. The nonscientific workforce has also been hard-hit, with 94% of employees saying it's harder to do their job under this administration. Cuts to chronic disease and injury prevention programs, which focus on preventing the leading causes of death in Americans and children, have been particularly concerning. The CDC's ability to prevent injuries, track infertility, reduce tobacco use, and promote healthy aging is severely compromised. The survey also revealed that 95% of respondents believe Americans will die because of the administration's changes to the agency. The cuts to the CDC have ripple effects across the country, impacting state and local health departments that rely on federal funding for health data collection and promotion activities. The CDC's role in sustaining the nation's public health infrastructure is crucial, and its damage is easy to overlook. In my opinion, the current and recent CDC employees have the best view of how these cuts are affecting the agency, and their observations warn of a U.S. government losing its ability to protect the nation's health.
