Mass Layoffs Weaken U.S. Health Agencies, Threatening Public Safety

Since January, more than 20,500 federal health workers have been cut, leaving core U.S. agencies struggling to carry out their missions and protect public health. A ProPublica review found the Department of Health and Human Services has lost 18% of its workforce—over 3,000 scientists and 1,000 regulators among them.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have each seen staffing reductions of 15% to 21%, directly affecting research, inspections, public health surveillance, and oversight of vaccines, food, and chronic diseases.

These cuts have stalled research, slowed grant distribution, curtailed clinical trials, and shut down programs monitoring lead poisoning, tobacco use, and maternal health outcomes. Experts warn the loss of expertise erodes decades of institutional capacity. “It takes years to build a skilled workforce,” one noted. “Once it’s gone, it’s not easy to restore.”

25-08-2025