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The Week in Health: Diabetic Wound Care, Public Health Workforce
Mölnlycke's diabetic amputation data, COFEPRIS's Edomex deal, and hospital groups on scale define this week's Health coverage.
OnMed, Jackson Health System and The Salvation Army Deploy OnMed CareStation™ to Extend Care Beyond Hospital Walls in Miami
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., September 17, 2026--OnMed, the leader in hybrid healthcare expanding access to care through the CareStation, today announced a new partnership with Jackson Health System, Miami’s only public health system, and The Salvation Army to bring essential medical care closer to home in Miami's Allapattah neighborhood. Sponsored by Jackson, the CareStation will be deployed at The Salvation Army's Miami location at 1907 NW 38th St., providing residents with convenient access to license
A (brief) history of American Public Health
Life expectancy in the United States has doubled since the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. Surprising, right? It shouldn’t be, because the America we have today would not be the sam…
Biggs releases MAHA-aligned health policy platform for Arizona governor campaign
Rep. Andy Biggs released a list of health policy commitments in his campaign for Arizona governor. Public health experts say proposals to loosen vaccine requirements could have dangerous consequences.
With US measles deaths on the rise, local officials are stepping in where RFK Jr won’t
As the country’s top public health official spends his time in office undermining science, doctors and advocates mount an urgent campaign for childhood vaccines
El-Sayed, Andrews are right to run. We need doctors in politics.
Doctors, nurses and public health professionals are running for office at every level. We should welcome that – across the political spectrum.
El-Sayed, Andrews are right to run. We need doctors in politics.
Doctors, nurses and public health professionals are running for office at every level. We should welcome that – across the political spectrum.
Regents OK first Augusta University undergrad degree in public health
Augusta University is launching its first undergraduate public health degree to prepare students for health careers.
Regents OK first Augusta University undergrad degree in public health
Augusta University's School of Public Health has announced its very first undergraduate program, designed to give students a foundation on which to build careers in health sciences.
Regents OK first Augusta University undergrad degree in public health
Augusta University is launching its first undergraduate public health degree to prepare students for health careers.
Pitt County to host Family Health Block Party
PITT COUNTY, N.C. — Pitt County Public Health will host a Family Health Block Party this weekend, offering free over-the-counter medicine, community resources,
Enrollment in Bursky School of Public Health master’s program declined in 2026
Preliminary reports indicate that the incoming Class of 2028 of the Bursky School’s Masters in Public Health (MPH) has seen fewer applicants this year despite an anticipated 15% increase in enrollment.
Back-to-school vaccines can help Central Oregon families stay healthy this fall
With the school year underway, Deschutes County Public Health encourages parents and caregivers to check their child’s vaccination record and make sure they are up to date on needed vaccines.Vac
MPH graduate wants to empower women with knowledge about their health
Zeest Mahmood Jalib, MPH ’26, shares how dealing with her diagnosis of PCOS led her to pursue a master's degree in public health.
DrPH student uses storytelling, art to improve health | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
DrPH student Germán Chiriboga uses art—as well as the stories people tell about their own lived experiences—to promote health.
Wildfire smoke: The health and environmental impacts | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
What are practical steps to protect against the health and environmental impacts of wildfire smoke?
AU School of Public Health announces first undergraduate degree program
Following approval by the USG Board of Regents, Augusta University’s School of Public Health is preparing to launch its first undergraduate degree program.
Georgia health officials confirm 8 West Nile virus cases, 1 death
The Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) has confirmed eight human cases of West Nile virus in 2026, including one death, and is urging residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
EU Proposes 'Kids Act' Banning Social Media Under 13 Over Mental Health Risks
Framing youth digital safety as an urgent public health priority, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced sweeping digital health protections for minors on Wednesday (16 September) in Brussels, introducing the “EU Kids Act” to restrict online platform access.
Costs and Health Benefits of Air Quality Standards
A new NAAQS report examines air-quality costs, health benefits, and EPA implementation. Read the key findings and what they mean for public health today.
The public health insurance option isn't the great choice you think it is
Moderate Democrats have frequently been returning to an old Obamacare debate-era proposal called the public option. They often label it “Medicare for all who want it” in order to piggyback off the better known single-payer proposal. Those who desire reform but get anxious about a universal and single-payer insurance system dubbed “Medicare for All” understandably […]
Alabama Department of Public Health improperly reimbursed $28M in federal vaccine program, audit finds
$27.94 million of the ADPH’s reimbursements over a five-year period had inadequate documentation or were unrelated to contract purposes.
What a social media influencer turned surgeon general could mean for public health in the US
Wednesday’s senate confirmation hearing won’t be the first time that much of the American public meets Dr. Nicole Saphier and hears her perspective; President Donald Trump’s nominee for US surgeon general is a health and wellness influencer who has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers through her podcast and social media platforms.
Confirmed measles case visited north metro Denver restaurants, hotel and hospital, state says
A person with a confirmed case of the measles may have exposed others in Boulder, Lafayette and Westminster last week, Colorado public health officials said.
Stacey Abrams on the FBI’s Fulton County Raid—and the Future of US Elections
Kathleen Sebelius joins The Stakes to explain how political interference, staffing cuts, and weakened agencies are undermining public health.
Kern County Public Health & KCSO operation addresses unpermitted Bakersfield food vendors
Kern County Public Health and the Kern County Sheriff's Office issued 13 cease-and-desist orders, 13 citations, and food confiscations during a Bakersfield oper
Loosened EPA power plant regulations could negatively impact Wisconsin public health
Some of Wisconsin's largest energy providers told WPR in statements they’re still reviewing the rules change.
Pitt County to hold health block party Sept. 19
PITT COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) — Pitt County Public Health is scheduled to host a Family Health Block Party on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Pitt County Office Park in Greenville. In partnership with NC Med As...
Illinois alerts more than 700,000 people they will or could lose public health insurance
The state has mailed letters to thousands of Medicaid enrollees with low incomes or a disability. They could lose coverage as soon as Oct. 1 due to legislation that President Donald Trump signed into law last year.
CHIP Implementation Efforts at PHIG-Funded Local Health Departments
Learn how local public health jurisdictions are bolstering their work using community health improvement plans.
UC Global Health Institute to move headquarters from UC San Francisco at UC Irvine
After more than 17 years at UCSF, the UC Global Health Institute is moving its headquarters locally to UC Irvine‘s Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health.
UC Global Health Institute to move headquarters from UC San Francisco at UC Irvine
After more than 17 years at UCSF, the UC Global Health Institute is moving its headquarters locally to UC Irvine‘s Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health.
Libby, Montana: A seminal case in environmental public health
Decades of amphibole asbestos contamination created widespread, multi-generational illness, revealing the vital need for long-term community monitoring, continuous medical care, and expanded scientific research
Wiping out measles impossible due to vaccine hesitancy in rich countries, says Gates
By Jennifer Rigby LONDON, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Vaccine hesitancy in rich countries means ending measles as a global public health threat is not currently possible, Bill Gates told Reuters in an
Public health advocate says Pennsylvania measles surge is a warning sign
The resurgence of measles in Pennsylvania highlights concerns about vaccine hesitancy and public trust in medical experts, a health advocate says.
2026-2027 Dean's Speaker Series
Join Dean Melissa Perry for a public health speaker series.
Opioid research
ECU research expands access to Narcan and other free health resources through public health vending machines in rural counties.
Improving Community Health Through Collaborative Leadership in Saint Louis County
Learn how Saint Louis leveraging public health and community partnerships to promote health at the local level in this vlog.
Alabama health officials urge residents to stay alert amid rabies cases
The Alabama Department of Public Health is reminding residents to take precautions against rabies following a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
UC Irvine selected as new home of UC Global Health Institute
Move reinforces leadership of Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health
UT San Antonio eDNA research targets real-world challenges in agriculture and public health
The new project from scientist Mariah Hopkins will explore whether eDNA can provide earlier detection of New World screwworm.
UT San Antonio eDNA research targets real-world challenges in agriculture and public health
The new project from scientist Mariah Hopkins will explore whether eDNA can provide earlier detection of New World screwworm.
Public health event to continue discussion of racial disparities in Douglas County birth outcomes
The health department is inviting the Douglas County community to continue an April conversation focused on racial disparities in local birth outcomes.
Laredo Public Health hosting Get Ready Day workshops
The Laredo Public Health Department is inviting residents to learn lifesaving skills and emergency preparedness through bilingual workshops during Get Ready Day.
Clarksville Conversations: Public health educator on efforts to improve community wellness
This episode of Clarksville Conversations features Renee Bruens, a public health educator, discussing her efforts to improve community wellness and connection in Clarksville.
CDC’s Decision Not To Count Two Pennsylvania Measles Deaths Raise Public Health Concerns
A public health expert explains public health concerns amid the CDC's decision not to count two measles deaths in Pennsylvania.
CDC’s Decision Not To Count Two Pennsylvania Measles Deaths Raise Public Health Concerns
A public health expert explains public health concerns amid the CDC's decision not to count two measles deaths in Pennsylvania.
Trump's FDA followed the science on vaping. Politicians are furious
The FDA authorized e-cigarettes based on evidence of adult smoking cessation. Public health policy must choose data over politics.
Health officials urge measles vaccine as school starts
As Central Oregon students return to school, the state is seeing a new low in kindergarten vaccination rates. That comes amid a measles outbreak and public health professionals urging people […]
POLICE: Rail car derailed, no public health concern
WCAX Saturday 11 p.m. News
Wayne County Public Health confirms 2 measles cases on Saturday
WAYNE COUNTY, N.Y. — Wayne County Public Health said it got confirmation on Saturday of two measles cases in unvaccinated people. These are the first documented cases of measles in Wayne County.
SCDPH seeks Lowcountry high school students for youth health advisory council
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – The South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH) is forming a Lowcountry Youth Advisory Council to give local high school students a voice in shaping de…
King County hosts public health gun buy back in support of Suicide Prevention Month
September is Suicide Prevention Month, and in Shoreline on Saturday, King County held a public health gun buy back event. According to the CDC, suicide has accounted for the majority of firearm deaths every year since 1995.
POLICE: Rail car derailed, no public health concern
Vermont State Police say the tank, carrying liquefied propane, derailed and rolled over Friday evening.
CCHD: Dr. Chad Anderson Awarded With Emerging Health Leader Award
The Christian County Health Department’s (CCHD) Public Health Administrator, Dr. Chad Anderson, has been honored with quite the accomplishment, as he was recently nominated, and awarded with the Emerging Public Health Leader Award by the Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA). Hart Media Group recently […]
Health care coalition says climate change is a public health crisis
Major medical associations and hundreds of health care professionals called for legislators to treat climate change as a public health crisis.
CDC vs. Pennsylvania: Why conflicting public health messages jeopardize public safety
Squabbles like the one between HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Gov. Josh Shapiro spark confusion and breed mistrust.
We need more transparency in public health, not power grabs [column]
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is proposing major changes to state health regulations that would significantly expand that department’s authority.
Happy Hens farm in Ramona voluntarily recalls eggs after Salmonella outbreak
Following genetic testing that linked a regional salmonella outbreak that sickened dozens to eggs from Happy Hens poultry farm in Ramona, the farm voluntarily recalled its eggs this week, according to the California Department of Public Health.
Public Health Strike Force at Iowa hosts safety event 25 years after 9/11
The Public Health Strike Force at Iowa hosted the Be Ready Bash: For 9/11 event to promote safety and emergency preparedness in Iowa City and on the University of Iowa campus. After 25 years since the events of 9/11, the Be Ready Bash, funded by the 9/11 Day of Service Grant, provides students and...
Travis County confirms second measles case of 2026 in unvaccinated infant
Austin Public Health has confirmed the second measles case in Travis County this year, involving an infant who was too young to get vaccinated and was likely ex
Central New York health officials warn as measles cases confirmed in 3 counties
Measles cases are rising across the country, and public health officials in Central New York are warning the highly contagious virus could soon spread into more
The dirtiest places on an airplane; testing for a breast cancer gene mutation; the evolution of esophageal cancer; plus other stories with Vanderbilt Health sources
William Schaffner, MD, Professor of Preventive Medicine, was quoted by several news outlets about public health issues, including: WKRN News 2 (heat-related illness); NBC News (how bad will flu and COVID be this winter?); AAA’s The Extra Mile (the dirtiest places on an airplane); WKRN News 2 (again) (measles in Tennessee); and The Tennessean and Healthline (new COVID vaccines). Schaffner also spoke to the EMJ European Medical Journal for a Q&A interview. Tuya Pal, MD, Professor of Medicine, was quoted in a New York Times story about testing for a breast cancer gene mutation. Michael Gibson, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine, was quoted in a MedPage Today story about the epidemiologic evolution of esophageal cancer. Medpage Today writer Shannon Fritz quoted Shravani Durbhakula, MD, Associate Professor of Pain Medicine, who answered questions about a street drug called cychlorphine. Becker’s Behavioral Health picked up the story. WSMV Channel 4 News reporter Diana Rocco interviewed Michael Caucci, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Obstetrics and Gynecology, for a story about postpartum psychosis and the trial of Lindsay Clancy.
CDFW News | Commercial and Recreational Take Restrictions in Place for Northern Anchovy in Monterey Bay Due to Public Health Hazard
State health agencies have recommended restricting the take of northern anchovy to bait use only for both the commercial and recreational fisheries in Monterey Bay after determining anchovies contain elevated levels of domoic acid.
Illinois alerts more than 700,000 people they will or could lose public health insurance
The state has mailed letters to thousands of Medicaid enrollees who are low-income or have a disability. They could lose coverage as soon as Oct. 1 due to legislation that President Trump signed into law last year.
McLean County launches alert system for sharing weather, traffic and public health information
The system is similar to notifications set up in Bloomington and Normal, with some overlap, used to share pertinent information county-wide or by quadrant. The county can now send push notifications to automatically alert cell phones in a targeted area of weather and public safety emergencies.
SAFETY ALERT: Rabies exposures rise in U.S. – and CSRA is seeing impact
Individual shots alone cost more than $400 before emergency room fees, according to data gathered from the CDC and the Department of Public Health.
New Rock County Public Health Officer named
JANESVILLE - Roman Mullen, who currently serves as Dodge County Public Health Officer, has been named Rock County Public Health Officer.
Austin Public Health confirms measles case in unvaccinated infant
The case marks Travis County's second reported measles infection of 2026.
Nevada County Public Health Hosts Free Community Baby Showers Sept. 16 and 22
Nevada County Public Health invites new and expectant parents to free Community Baby Shower events in Grass Valley and Truckee.
CDC vs. Pennsylvania: Why conflicting public health messages jeopardize public safety
When state health departments, federal health agencies and medical societies diverge, how is an ordinary person supposed to know whom to trust?
Chicago public health officials warn of possible measles exposure at Union Station
Chicago officials are warning of a possible measles exposure at Union Station after someone with the highly contagious illness passed through the West Loop hub late last month.
Former EPA officials warn of health risks from US data center surge
A group representing more than 800 former Environmental Protection Agency employees is warning that the rapid expansion of U.S. data centers could worsen air pollution and public health risks, particularly as the Trump administration rolls back environmental regulations and seeks to speed up facility approvals, The New York Times reports. A report from the Environmental […]
Anger Over Health Costs Clouds Midterms
Amid a campaign already focusing on affordability, anxious voters are unlikely to be assuaged by headlines about healthcare costs rising even more next year. And a lawsuit that could cut off access nationwide to the abortion pill mifepristone gets a hearing in federal court. Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico Magazine, Sandhya Raman of Bloomberg Law, and Amanda Seitz of KFF Health News join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner also interviews Lauren Sausser, who wrote the latest KFF Health News “Bill of the Month.”
Public Health Leaders and 161 Scholars File Amicus Brief Challenging CMS Medicaid Work Requirement Rule
Amici argue new federal rule could cause millions of people with serious health conditions to lose Medicaid coverage
Steuben County Public Health confirms 10th measles case since Aug. 18
On Tuesday, the Steuben County health department reported its 10th measles case in an unvaccinated resident.
New economic tool helps planners consider urban public health impacts
Senior urban development decision-makers have revealed there is currently little incentive to consider public health impacts when shaping towns and cities, according to a new study that highlights the potential of an innovative economic valuation tool to address the problem.
Experts examine ethical risks of using AI in public health
Artificial intelligence (AI) holds profound potential to reshape public health. Although its application accelerates threat detection and targeted interventions, the rapid deployment has outpaced the regulatory, validation, and equity safeguards standard to traditional health interventions.
Chicago health department warning of potential measles exposure at Union Station
The Chicago Department of Public Health is warning commuters of a potential measures exposure at Union Station last month.
Bremen District 228 students get an early look at careers in healthcare through Cook County program
Students from Bremen School District 228 joined the Cook County Department of Public Health’s Community Healthcare Worker Pipeline Program.
The Israel Public Health Association’s bet on what comes next
Chief executive, Yasmin Nahum, is trying to meet a surge in wartime trauma, youth substance use, and prescription-opioid dependence with programs the state has not yet absorbed.
Uptown's Weiss Memorial Hospital loses license, health officials say
Chicago's Weiss Memorial Hospital has lost its license, officials said. There have been community efforts to reopen it, but the Illinois Department of Public Health says leadership has not made improvements.
Economic tool could help cities prioritize public health in urban development
Senior urban development decision-makers have revealed there is currently little incentive to consider public health impacts when shaping towns and cities, according to a new study published in Evidence ...
SepticSmart Week features free webinar promoting septic maintenance, public health, water conservation and more
For SepticSmart Week, learn more about Michigan’s Septic Replacement Loan Program and a free webinar for homeowners.
Closing health workforce gaps for emergency response: the Western Pacific steps up
Over 100 health emergency experts from 56 institutions across 21 countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region who are part of the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) concluded their annual regional partners’ meeting with a commitment to bridge gaps in emergency workforce capacities and advance regional emergency readiness and resilience.Co-hosted by WHO and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in the Republic of Korea, the two-day event aimed to strengthen the Region’s collective ability to detect, prepare for and respond to health emergencies.Partners mapped capacities and priority technical gaps across the Region — including cybersecurity and critical infrastructure resilience; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and environmental health; biological emergencies, nuclear emergencies, and nuclear and radiological security.The result: a renewed commitment to close these gaps by working together through shared expertise and coordinated action. Advancing the Global Health Emergency CorpsReflective of regional solidarity and partnerships in action, GOARN – which is coordinated globally by WHO - enables a stronger, better-connected emergency health workforce that is ready to surge wherever and whenever requested by WHO Member States.This year alone, GOARN partners across the Western Pacific have supported nine experts on six missions - from measles outbreaks in Viet Nam to HIV outbreak response in Fiji - providing surge support in epidemiology, surveillance and clinical case management.Photo: Participants at the Global Alert and Response Network (GOARN) Partners Meeting 2026. Credit: KDCA/Shin Dong Myoung“GOARN partners across the Western Pacific and globally have repeatedly demonstrated the power of what we can do collectively, when we join forces, share expertise and build on each other’s strengths,” noted Dr Gina Samaan, WHO Regional Emergency Director for the Western Pacific, in her opening remarks at the gathering. “Let us continue to forge long-term partnerships grounded in mutual respect that will protect the Region for generations to come. We are smarter, faster and infinitely stronger when we work together,” she added.Reiterating Dr Samaan's call, Dr Seung-kwan Lim, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, emphasized the value of GOARN: “The Republic of Korea is pleased to stand alongside our regional partners in building an emergency workforce that is ready and resilient. GOARN turns national expertise into regional readiness - catalysing national strengths into collective resilience.”GOARN advances the Global Health Security Action Framework (GHEC) initiative by “convening, connecting and capacitating” regional leaders and surge workforce – “the three Cs”. Years of GOARN leadership and outbreak response training programmes have cultivated a deep bench of fit-for-purpose, seasoned outbreak response experts and forged an alumni network of emergency leaders worldwide. The Western Pacific network alone has now grown to 94 partner institutions across 19 countries. Photo: Participants at the Global Alert and Response Network (GOARN) Partners Meeting 2026. Credit: KDCA/Shin Dong Myoung Putting partnerships into practiceDuring the Regional Partners’ Meeting, health experts identified and catalogued the technical expertise currently available across the Western Pacific Region, so that the right skills could be better matched quickly to needs wherever emergencies occur.Three priority areas emerged for further strengthening:Cybersecurity and critical infrastructure resilience - protecting essential systems, including healthcare networks, from digital disruptions.Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and environmental health - reflecting the ongoing nexus between climate change and health.Biological emergencies, nuclear emergencies, and nuclear and radiological security - requiring specialized technical capability that remains limited across many national response systems.Meeting participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening workforce capacities in the Region, with a particular focus on these three areas, and to working collectively to better prepare the Western Pacific for the next health emergency.Photo: Dr Gina Samaan, WHO Regional Emergency Director for the Western Pacific, delivers opening remarks at the Global Alert and Response Network (GOARN) Partners Meeting 2026. Credit: KDCA/Shin Dong Myoung“GOARN is truly turning preparedness into action - giving our Region the surge capacity it needs for fast, coordinated response when it matters most - and building more resilient health systems along the way,” said Dr Samaan. “As health emergencies mount in this age of permacrisis, emergency preparedness and response must be woven into the fabric of health. This is not an option, but an imperative as we seek to achieve health for all.”____ About GOARNThe Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), coordinated by the World Health Organization since 2000, strengthens global health security by advancing preparedness for and response to public health emergencies. The network brings together more than 390 institutions, including national public health agencies, technical organizations and nongovernmental partners, to support coordinated international action during outbreaks and other health emergencies. There are 94 GOARN partners in the Western Pacific Region (as of August 2026), accounting for approximately 25% of global partners. For more information and media interviews, please contact: WHO Western Pacific Communications: wprocom@who.intAra Johannes: johannesa@who.int
Tyler reduces NET Health funding to $50K, citing agency’s reserves
The Tyler City Council approved a $287 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year in a 4-2 vote, cementing a 75% funding cut to the region’s local public health department.
Trump Administration Cuts 16 Minority Health Grants—Here’s What That Means For Public Health
A public health expert explains how the Trump administration cancelling 16 minority health grants could adversely impact public health.
Shaping the Future of Public Health and Policy in Mexico
Mexico is transforming public health into a strategic pillar, linking healthcare reform with investment, research, regulation and domestic production.
The Cost of Cutting American Science: How Federal Cuts Diminish Public Health Capacity
Among the federal government’s many responsibilities is the work it does to protect public health. Federal agencies monitor our food supply to ensure safety, conduct research to better understand emerging health threats, provide funding for public health programs in communities and work to detect and respond to disease outbreaks. Americans rely on these efforts every day—in a 2024 online survey, 74% of respondents said that “if the federal government issued safety guidance about food you eat regularly,” they would follow it. Changes to Federal Public Health Capacity The Trump administration’s efforts to reshape the federal government have resulted in significant impacts on our nation’s public health capacity over the past 20 months, affecting the response to health concerns such as measles, Ebola and cyclosporiasis. Agencies with core public health, food safety and disease prevention responsibilities experienced large workforce decreases during the first year of the administration. At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for instance, the workforce in February 2026 was 26.7% smaller than in September 2024 before the start of the Trump administration. The Food and Drug Administration saw a similarly steep decline of 21.6%. Agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and Food Safety and Inspection Service also experienced large workforce decreases. (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); Changes can also be seen in crucial public health occupations. The number of federal food inspectors, for example, decreased by more than half between September 2024 and February 2026, going from 1,035 to 473. This is the lowest number of food inspectors employed by the federal government since at least 2005. By February 2026, there were also 33.3% fewer federal public health program specialists, whose work includes advising federal funding recipients on public health activities and analyzing the effectiveness of public health programs. Government’s capacity is diminished as employees with specialized knowledge and experience in protecting the public and responding to health risks depart, leaving agencies less prepared to carry out their public health missions. There also have been vacancies in critical high-level leadership positions at public health agencies, most notably at the CDC, which had a permanent Senate-confirmed director for less than a month between January 2025 and early August 2026. Although the CDC has previously been led by acting directors at the start of an administration, the nearly yearlong gap since the departure of the administration’s first permanent director in August 2025 is without precedent. As of August 2026, the FDA is also currently without a Senate-confirmed commissioner following the previous commissioner’s resignation in May 2026. Additionally, public health agencies are experiencing increased politicization of their leadership ranks. In agencies such as the CDC and Food Safety and Inspection Service, the number of individuals in the Senior Executive Service—the most senior career leaders in government—has declined significantly, while at the same time the number of political appointees has reached record levels. (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); At the CDC, for example, the number of career SES decreased 42.9% between December 2024 and February 2026, while the number of non-Senate confirmed political appointees at the agency was six times larger than the agency’s historical average from 2009 and 2024. Knowledgeable career leaders are integral to the ability of public health agencies to carry out their work with scientific integrity and professional judgment, and rapid leadership turnover and increased politicization threaten agencies’ ability to make evidence-based decisions to protect our health. The upheaval and politicization in public health agencies have also negatively affected employee engagement. Strong employee engagement is crucial to the ability of agencies to carry out their mission and successfully provide essential services to the public. In the 2025 Public Service Viewpoint Survey conducted by the Partnership for Public Service, the Department of Health and Human Services—which encompasses major public health agencies such as the CDC and FDA—had an employee engagement and satisfaction score of 20.4 out of 100, one of the lowest among large agencies. Only 2.8% of HHS employees indicated trust in their political leaders and only 8.7% reported confidence that they could report a suspected violation of law or regulation without retaliation. Employees at HHS also reported that the agency’s ability to provide services to the public had suffered. Nearly half of employees at HHS, 47.5%, said their work unit was worse at delivering quality services compared to its performance in 2024. In addition, 57.8% said their work unit was performing worse at fulfilling stakeholder needs. In addition to the work done within federal agencies, the federal government also distributes significant funding for public health and disease prevention work to state and local governments, nonprofits and small businesses—funding which has been significantly disrupted. At the CDC, for example, there was a 71.9% decrease in the amount of project grant funding issued in fiscal year 2025 compared to fiscal year 2024. The FDA also issued far less funding in fiscal year 2025—a 21.3% decrease from its fiscal year 2024 funding. Changes in federal funding include the ending of grants to community organizations that worked on HIV prevention and the cancellation of funding for research into improvements to patient safety and healthcare quality. These changes go beyond federal agencies to impact the broader public health ecosystem, including the state and local health departments responsible for much of the on-the-ground public health work in their communities. About 80% of the CDC’s domestic funding is directed towards state and local partners—meaning that cuts to CDC funding can ultimately result in cuts to state and local public health capacity. Federal agencies also provide expertise and assistance to state and local health agencies as they deal with particular health challenges, but workforce cuts have resulted in fewer federal employees available to help. The Impact of Changes to Public Health Capacity These changes to federal public health capacity are not abstract concerns. Disrupted programs, reduced funding and lost expertise at public health agencies across all levels of government threaten the public’s physical well-being and safety. In some cases, this has already led to harm. The most immediate impacts of federal cuts were seen in interruptions to ongoing public health programs and crisis responses. In one instance, when CDC grants were canceled during the 2025 Texas measles outbreak—the most severe measles outbreak in 25 years—public health officials in Lubbock, Texas were forced to pause parts of their measles response work supported by the frozen funding. Lubbock’s director of public health further said that a lack of available CDC experts to reach out to for advice “definitely” impacted the department’s response to the measles crisis. Cuts to federal funding also forced Dallas County Health and Human Services to cut staff and cancel 50 community vaccination clinics during the outbreak. Public health work outside of major outbreak responses was also disrupted. For example, in April 2025, the Milwaukee Public Health Department was unexpectedly unable to reach experts on lead poisoning due to firings at the CDC when responding to concerns about lead contamination in Milwaukee public schools. Due to federal workforce cuts, several programs at the CDC, including Alzheimer’s and epilepsy programs, have also become trapped in limbo—existing on paper, but without the staff necessary to operate. More recent crises reveal how federal cuts have weakened the public health infrastructure needed to prevent and respond to dangerous new outbreaks. Internationally, cuts at the U.S. Agency for International Development eliminated funding for disease testing and contact tracing abroad, which delayed detection of and responses to the 2026 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While international outbreaks may seem far removed, the unchecked spread of disease in any country can quickly pose a danger to economic well-being, security and health around the world. Within the United States, public health cuts inhibited responses to the summer 2026 outbreak of the food-borne parasite cyclospora. At the federal level, cuts to funding for lab equipment and for CDC staff with expertise in parasitic infections—including 9 out of 11 staff members at the lab responsible for identifying parasitic outbreaks in 2025— contributed to the largest reporting delay in outbreak cases at the CDC in 15 years. Conflicting communications from the FDA about the source of the outbreak, which followed cuts to the agency’s communications department, additionally led to confusion among the public about how to best avoid infection. At the same time, cuts to HHS funding and support for local and state public health slowed some health departments’ responses to the crisis. The exact costs of these delays, constraints and confusion in public health responses are difficult to estimate. However, their message is clear: federal cuts have already made containing threats to public health even more of a challenge. Conclusion Protecting public health—from food safety to disease prevention—is one of the federal government’s most important missions. Dramatic and haphazard cuts to federal agencies and funding have already disrupted the public health system, impacting the response to challenges such as measles, lead poisoning and cyclosporiasis. The U.S. public health system needed improvement before these disruptions. Since 2022, federal leadership and coordination in response to public health outbreaks has been on the Government Accountability Office’s High-Risk List of areas in need of attention to improve government effectiveness and efficiency. Recent cuts only compound these concerns. The chaotic dismantling of government and resulting disruptions to crucial functions like public health and disease prevention highlight the need for meaningful reform and concrete policy proposals to reimagine how government can better serve the public and be more effective, responsive and accountable. To learn more about the impact of federal cuts to public health and science more broadly, visit The Cost of Cutting American Science. Learn more For more information on the Partnership for Public Service’s government reform initiative, visit Government for a New Era. View here In line with The Cost of Cutting American Science, federal workforce data in this brief is as of February 2026
The Cost of Cutting American Science: How Federal Cuts Diminish Public Health Capacity
Among the federal government’s many responsibilities is the work it does to protect public health. Federal agencies monitor our food supply to ensure safety, conduct research to better understand emerging health threats, provide funding for public health programs in communities and work to detect and respond to disease outbreaks. Americans rely on these efforts every day—in a 2024 online survey, 74% of respondents said that “if the federal government issued safety guidance about food you eat regularly,” they would follow it. Changes to Federal Public Health Capacity The Trump administration’s efforts to reshape the federal government have resulted in significant impacts on our nation’s public health capacity over the past 20 months, affecting the response to health concerns such as measles, Ebola and cyclosporiasis. Agencies with core public health, food safety and disease prevention responsibilities experienced large workforce decreases during the first year of the administration. At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for instance, the workforce in February 2026 was 26.7% smaller than in September 2024 before the start of the Trump administration. The Food and Drug Administration saw a similarly steep decline of 21.6%. Agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and Food Safety and Inspection Service also experienced large workforce decreases. (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); Changes can also be seen in crucial public health occupations. The number of federal food inspectors, for example, decreased by more than half between September 2024 and February 2026, going from 1,035 to 473. This is the lowest number of food inspectors employed by the federal government since at least 2005. By February 2026, there were also 33.3% fewer federal public health program specialists, whose work includes advising federal funding recipients on public health activities and analyzing the effectiveness of public health programs. Government’s capacity is diminished as employees with specialized knowledge and experience in protecting the public and responding to health risks depart, leaving agencies less prepared to carry out their public health missions. There also have been vacancies in critical high-level leadership positions at public health agencies, most notably at the CDC, which had a permanent Senate-confirmed director for less than a month between January 2025 and early August 2026. Although the CDC has previously been led by acting directors at the start of an administration, the nearly yearlong gap since the departure of the administration’s first permanent director in August 2025 is without precedent. As of August 2026, the FDA is also currently without a Senate-confirmed commissioner following the previous commissioner’s resignation in May 2026. Additionally, public health agencies are experiencing increased politicization of their leadership ranks. In agencies such as the CDC and Food Safety and Inspection Service, the number of individuals in the Senior Executive Service—the most senior career leaders in government—has declined significantly, while at the same time the number of political appointees has reached record levels. (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); At the CDC, for example, the number of career SES decreased 42.9% between December 2024 and February 2026, while the number of non-Senate confirmed political appointees at the agency was six times larger than the agency’s historical average from 2009 and 2024. Knowledgeable career leaders are integral to the ability of public health agencies to carry out their work with scientific integrity and professional judgment, and rapid leadership turnover and increased politicization threaten agencies’ ability to make evidence-based decisions to protect our health. The upheaval and politicization in public health agencies have also negatively affected employee engagement. Strong employee engagement is crucial to the ability of agencies to carry out their mission and successfully provide essential services to the public. In the 2025 Public Service Viewpoint Survey conducted by the Partnership for Public Service, the Department of Health and Human Services—which encompasses major public health agencies such as the CDC and FDA—had an employee engagement and satisfaction score of 20.4 out of 100, one of the lowest among large agencies. Only 2.8% of HHS employees indicated trust in their political leaders and only 8.7% reported confidence that they could report a suspected violation of law or regulation without retaliation. Employees at HHS also reported that the agency’s ability to provide services to the public had suffered. Nearly half of employees at HHS, 47.5%, said their work unit was worse at delivering quality services compared to its performance in 2024. In addition, 57.8% said their work unit was performing worse at fulfilling stakeholder needs. In addition to the work done within federal agencies, the federal government also distributes significant funding for public health and disease prevention work to state and local governments, nonprofits and small businesses—funding which has been significantly disrupted. At the CDC, for example, there was a 71.9% decrease in the amount of project grant funding issued in fiscal year 2025 compared to fiscal year 2024. The FDA also issued far less funding in fiscal year 2025—a 21.3% decrease from its fiscal year 2024 funding. Changes in federal funding include the ending of grants to community organizations that worked on HIV prevention and the cancellation of funding for research into improvements to patient safety and healthcare quality. These changes go beyond federal agencies to impact the broader public health ecosystem, including the state and local health departments responsible for much of the on-the-ground public health work in their communities. About 80% of the CDC’s domestic funding is directed towards state and local partners—meaning that cuts to CDC funding can ultimately result in cuts to state and local public health capacity. Federal agencies also provide expertise and assistance to state and local health agencies as they deal with particular health challenges, but workforce cuts have resulted in fewer federal employees available to help. The Impact of Changes to Public Health Capacity These changes to federal public health capacity are not abstract concerns. Disrupted programs, reduced funding and lost expertise at public health agencies across all levels of government threaten the public’s physical well-being and safety. In some cases, this has already led to harm. The most immediate impacts of federal cuts were seen in interruptions to ongoing public health programs and crisis responses. In one instance, when CDC grants were canceled during the 2025 Texas measles outbreak—the most severe measles outbreak in 25 years—public health officials in Lubbock, Texas were forced to pause parts of their measles response work supported by the frozen funding. Lubbock’s director of public health further said that a lack of available CDC experts to reach out to for advice “definitely” impacted the department’s response to the measles crisis. Cuts to federal funding also forced Dallas County Health and Human Services to cut staff and cancel 50 community vaccination clinics during the outbreak. Public health work outside of major outbreak responses was also disrupted. For example, in April 2025, the Milwaukee Public Health Department was unexpectedly unable to reach experts on lead poisoning due to firings at the CDC when responding to concerns about lead contamination in Milwaukee public schools. Due to federal workforce cuts, several programs at the CDC, including Alzheimer’s and epilepsy programs, have also become trapped in limbo—existing on paper, but without the staff necessary to operate. More recent crises reveal how federal cuts have weakened the public health infrastructure needed to prevent and respond to dangerous new outbreaks. Internationally, cuts at the U.S. Agency for International Development eliminated funding for disease testing and contact tracing abroad, which delayed detection of and responses to the 2026 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While international outbreaks may seem far removed, the unchecked spread of disease in any country can quickly pose a danger to economic well-being, security and health around the world. Within the United States, public health cuts inhibited responses to the summer 2026 outbreak of the food-borne parasite cyclospora. At the federal level, cuts to funding for lab equipment and for CDC staff with expertise in parasitic infections—including 9 out of 11 staff members at the lab responsible for identifying parasitic outbreaks in 2025— contributed to the largest reporting delay in outbreak cases at the CDC in 15 years. Conflicting communications from the FDA about the source of the outbreak, which followed cuts to the agency’s communications department, additionally led to confusion among the public about how to best avoid infection. At the same time, cuts to HHS funding and support for local and state public health slowed some health departments’ responses to the crisis. The exact costs of these delays, constraints and confusion in public health responses are difficult to estimate. However, their message is clear: federal cuts have already made containing threats to public health even more of a challenge. Conclusion Protecting public health—from food safety to disease prevention—is one of the federal government’s most important missions. Dramatic and haphazard cuts to federal agencies and funding have already disrupted the public health system, impacting the response to challenges such as measles, lead poisoning and cyclosporiasis. The U.S. public health system needed improvement before these disruptions. Since 2022, federal leadership and coordination in response to public health outbreaks has been on the Government Accountability Office’s High-Risk List of areas in need of attention to improve government effectiveness and efficiency. Recent cuts only compound these concerns. The chaotic dismantling of government and resulting disruptions to crucial functions like public health and disease prevention highlight the need for meaningful reform and concrete policy proposals to reimagine how government can better serve the public and be more effective, responsive and accountable. To learn more about the impact of federal cuts to public health and science more broadly, visit The Cost of Cutting American Science. Learn more For more information on the Partnership for Public Service’s government reform initiative, visit Government for a New Era. View here In line with The Cost of Cutting American Science, federal workforce data in this brief is as of February 2026
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