WASHINGTON – The Senate Committee responsible for overseeing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will hold a hearing next week featuring testimonies from former CDC director Susan Monares, who was unexpectedly dismissed after the Trump administration pressured her to resign.
Senator Bill Cassidy, who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, will conduct the hearing on September 17th, focusing on CDC oversight. Dr. Debra Howie, who resigned as the chief medical officer after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ousted Monares, is also anticipated to testify, as indicated by a committee spokesperson.
“For the sake of our children’s health, the American public deserves to know what is happening within the CDC,” Cassidy stated on Tuesday night. “Parents need reassurance that their children’s health is a priority, and radical transparency is the only way to achieve that.”
The Advisory Committee on Vaccination Practices is set to convene the next day, September 18th.
Along with the hour-long session, Kennedy’s attempts to reform the vaccine advisory panel will not include Dr. Demetre Daskarakis, who led the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, nor Dr. Daniel Gernigan, who headed another national center.
After Monares was dismissed, Cassidy, a physician who played a crucial role in confirming Kennedy as health secretary, urged that the Vaccine Advisory Committee’s meeting be postponed until thorough oversight can be conducted.
“If the meeting takes place, any recommendations should be deemed illegitimate due to the serious concerns surrounding CDC leadership and the current state of confusion,” he stated in a release last month.
In an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal, Monares claimed she was let go after Kennedy allegedly refused to approve the recommendations of the panel during an August 25 meeting, shortly before her recent Congressional testimony, where she asserted she declined to support him when he appeared before the Senate Finance Committee this month.
“It is vital that panel recommendations undergo rigorous and scientific evaluation before acceptance or rejection, rather than being treated as mere formalities,” Monares remarked.
Kennedy’s hearing featured numerous tense exchanges between Cassidy and the Democratic senators, with the secretary defending his vaccine stance and articulating his policies aimed at addressing vaccine skepticism among panel members.
Monares’ legal representatives also condemned Kennedy’s testimony, labeling his claims as “false and at times absurd” in a statement issued following the hearing.
Brennan Leach and Frank Thorpe V reported from Zaw Richards of New York from Washington.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in the last 12 months, the United States has seen six rabies-related fatalities, marking the highest toll in years. From aggressive skunks in Kentucky to grey foxes and raccoons in Long Island, biodiversity in over a dozen states is facing a surge in lethal diseases, partly due to diminished natural habitats and improved monitoring.
“We are monitoring 15 potential outbreaks that may vary,” stated Dr. Ryan Wallace, leader of the CDC’s rabies division. Areas affected by these outbreaks include Nassau County, New York, which, last month, showed concerns about rabies beyond the notorious wildlife, with states like Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Alaska, Arizona, California, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina, Oregon, and certain Vermont regions also noted.
“There seems to be an increase in inquiries and reports from various parts of the US,” Wallace commented. “It remains to be seen whether these numbers will show a significant rise by the end of the year. However, for now, we are experiencing a high volume during peak rabies season.”
Each year, approximately 1.4 million Americans receive a series of vaccinations to guard against potential rabies exposure, as reported by the CDC.
Samantha Lang was among those last month. The 22-year-old believed a bat had bitten her after one flew into her apartment through a ceiling gap in Greenwood, Indiana. The day after noticing a small mark on her arm, she found the bat hanging from her air conditioning vent. Upon contacting local health authorities, she was advised to receive post-exposure rabies prophylaxis, which she promptly did.
“I didn’t think it was a big deal,” Lang remarked.
The bat bite caused a rash on Samantha Lang’s arm. Marina KOPF / NBC News
Rabies viruses infiltrate the central nervous system and are nearly always deadly once symptoms manifest. Early symptoms, which can appear within a week to a year post-exposure, mimic influenza, rapidly evolving into confusion, paralysis, difficulty swallowing, and hallucinations, often resulting in death within a few weeks.
Experts express concern regarding the uptick in human rabies fatalities last year. In contrast, between 2015 and 2024, the CDC documented 17 human rabies cases.
Most rabies exposures happen through the saliva of infected wildlife and can penetrate through wounds, eyes, or mouths, making bites particularly hazardous. Prior to the 1960s, the majority of human rabies infections originated from domestic pets, especially dogs. Strict vaccination regulations have effectively eradicated rabies in dogs across the US.
A stark rise in wildlife rabies cases has been noted in Franklin County, near North Carolina’s Research Triangle, which has seen confirmed cases in wildlife double over the past year.
“This year’s rabies season has been alarming with a 100% rise in confirmed cases,” remarked county health director Scott Lavigne.
Lavigne believes that the expansion of urban areas into wildlife habitats is a significant factor accelerating the spread of rabies.
“Franklin County’s population has increased by 35% since 2010, creating new demands for housing,” he explained. “This leads to land development and the growth of residential neighborhoods.”
Animals that were previously secluded are now more densely populated, increasing the likelihood of rabies spreading among them, Lavigne noted.
In North Carolina, Franklin County animal control sets traps in areas where rabid skunks are detected. Marina KOPF / NBC News
Often, individuals are unaware of their exposure to rabid animals. Fatalities have been recorded from individuals who did not realize they were bitten or who encountered a bat and declined necessary vaccinations.
In December, a California teacher succumbed to rabies a month after handling bats in her classroom, unaware of her infection.
Viruses adapt and present differently based on animal species and strains. Many assume rabid animals are aggressive, yet sometimes infected creatures exhibit calm behavior.
“There’s a rabies strain that can make animals unusually friendly,” Lavigne shared. “A family observed a raccoon in their backyard that appeared ill yet was friendly and sought affection.”
The family cared for and fed the raccoon until it died, subsequently calling animal services to remove the body. “Thankfully they did because it tested positive, and the entire family required vaccinations,” Lavigne noted. “If they hadn’t contacted animal services, they would have remained oblivious.”
Flyers issued in Franklin County, North Carolina, indicated rabid raccoons and bats were found. Marina KOPF / NBC News
Concerns Regarding Dog Vaccination Rates
With the increasing spread of rabies among wildlife, veterinarians are particularly worried about vaccine hesitancy among pet owners. A 2023 survey published in a journal revealed that nearly 40% of respondents felt the dog vaccine was unsafe, while 37% believed it might cause cognitive issues in dogs, such as autism.
Gabriella Motta, a veterinarian from Glenolene, Pennsylvania, and a co-author of the study, has encountered many clients apprehensive about the vaccine’s safety for their dogs.
“This is a concern that may escalate in the future,” Motta explained. “If vaccination rates continue to dwindle due to hesitancy, could we witness an increase in rabies not only among wildlife but also in pets? We’re starting to raise alarms.”
The rabies vaccine has evolved significantly from when injections were given in patients’ abdomens after exposure. The current regimen involves administering a dose of immunoglobulin containing rabies antibodies right after exposure, followed by four additional vaccine injections into the arm.
Experts advise that rabies should be suspected whenever a wild animal displays abnormal behavior.
The federal-state collaboration that oversees foodborne illness monitoring discreetly diminished its operations nearly two months ago.
As of July 1st, the Food Surveillance for Active Foodborne Diseases (FoodNet) program has slashed its surveillance efforts to just two pathogens: Salmonella and Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli (STEC), according to a spokesperson from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as reported by NBC News.
Prior to this, the program was monitoring infections from six additional pathogens: Campylobacter, Cyclospora, Listeria, Shigella, Vibrio, and Yersinia. Some of these pathogens can trigger particularly severe or life-threatening diseases, especially in vulnerable populations such as newborns, pregnant individuals, or those with compromised immune systems.
While states involved in the program are no longer obligated to track the six pathogens, they are still allowed to conduct their own surveillance.
Food safety experts express concern that this underreported decision may hinder public health officials from recognizing trends in foodborne diseases.
FoodNet operates as a partnership between the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Agriculture, and ten state health departments, covering a surveillance area that includes about 54 million people, or 16% of the U.S. population.
A CDC representative commented, “FoodNet’s primary focus will remain on Salmonella and we will uphold both the infrastructure and the quality of our representation.”
A document shared with Connecticut’s Department of Public Health, as reported by NBC News, indicates that “funding does not align with the resources necessary to sustain comprehensive FoodNet surveillance for all eight pathogens.”
On Monday, a CDC spokesperson mentioned that other systems continue to perform national surveillance for the six pathogens removed from FoodNet. For instance, state health departments can still report cases through the National Notification Disease Surveillance System. Additionally, the CDC’s Listeria Initiative gathers laboratory-confirmed cases of listeriosis, a serious infection caused by consuming Listeria-contaminated food.
Nonetheless, food safety experts stress that FoodNet is the only active federal surveillance system monitoring multiple foodborne diseases. Other federal systems rely on passive reporting, meaning that the CDC depends on state health departments to notify them of cases.
Experts fear that without proactive monitoring of all eight pathogens, public health officials might struggle to accurately compare trends over time or to detect increases in specific diseases. There are also concerns that a reduction in FoodNet operations could hinder rapid responses to outbreaks.
Barbara Kowalcyk, director of the Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security at George Washington University, described the decision to cut FoodNet surveillance as “very disappointing.”
“The work that I and countless others have devoted over the past two to three decades to enhance food safety is now at risk,” she stated. Kowalcyk’s advocacy for improved U.S. food safety policy arose after the death of her son from complications linked to foodborne E. coli infections in 2001.
Kowalcyk emphasized that federal food safety funding has failed to keep pace with inflation, and cuts to state health department funding likely impede the ability to sustain FoodNet surveillance. The CDC has requested $72 million for the Food Safety Budget for the fiscal years 2026 and 2024.
It remains unclear how the changes to FoodNet will impact monitoring at the state level.
The health departments of Oregon and Connecticut acknowledged awareness of the recent changes on Monday, while the Georgia Department of Public Health noted it had not yet received official updates from the CDC. Meanwhile, the New Mexico Health Department is awaiting notification from the CDC to clarify the future scope of surveillance.
The Maryland Department of Health indicated that their reporting will continue “regardless of the changes to the FoodNet network,” as state health providers and clinical laboratories must report cases for all eight pathogens monitored by FoodNet.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment warned that if funding decreases in 2026, it may have to scale back active surveillance for some pathogens.
In the United States, one in 33 infants is born with a birth defect. New research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights methods to mitigate that risk.
The study identifies five risk factors that public health officials, and even the women themselves, can address: obesity, diabetes, tobacco exposure, food insecurity, and insufficient folic acid levels (a crucial vitamin for cell production).
The findings indicate that 66% of women aged 12 to 49 possess at least one of these risk factors, with 10% having three or more. The CDC’s discovery, published on Tuesday in The American Journal of Preventive Medicine, is based on data from 5,374 women surveyed as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2020.
“It’s vital to raise awareness about these risk factors and encourage women to consult their healthcare providers if they have any concerns or questions before pregnancy,” stated Arick Wang, a CDC health scientist and lead author of the study.
She further noted, “The risk can be mitigated through measures such as daily intake of 400 micrograms of folic acid, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine, and managing blood glucose levels.”
Congenital abnormalities are significant causes of infant mortality, according to CDC statistics. Risks often begin before women even realize they are pregnant. While the causes of birth defects remain largely unknown, experts typically acknowledge that various combinations of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors contribute.
“This should serve as a wake-up call for all of us,” remarked Dr. Michael Warren, chief medical and health officer at March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization focusing on maternal and infant health.
“We aim to ensure that nutritious foods are accessible,” added Warren, who was not involved in the research. “We want to guarantee that individuals have a secure environment for physical activity.”
Individuals experiencing food insecurity may lack essential nutrients for the healthy development of their fetal organs, including folic acid. For instance, low blood levels of folic acid are linked to neural tube defects—issues impacting the brain or spine that occur during the first month of pregnancy. Healthcare professionals recommend that those who are pregnant or planning to conceive take folic acid, a synthetic version of the vitamin.
Since 1998, the Food and Drug Administration has mandated the fortification of enriched grain products with folic acid. CDC scientist Wang mentioned in a press release that this policy is likely to prevent over 1,300 annual cases of babies born with neural tube defects.
“The majority of birth defects still remain unexplained,” Nembhard stated. “Even when women make all the right choices—avoiding smoking, abstaining from alcohol during pregnancy, monitoring caffeine intake, and staying active—they may still face challenges.
Warren, who previously served as the pre-administrator of HHS’s Maternal and Child Health Department until June, highlighted that many women may not recognize obesity and food insecurity as risk factors.
Obesity, which impacted approximately one-third of the surveyed women, was identified as the most prevalent modifiable risk factor in CDC studies. While the reasons behind its association with birth defects are not entirely understood, it seems that altered metabolic processes (like how a woman’s body regulates insulin and glucose) can lead to abnormal fetal development.
“When our cells grow and develop into organs, they depend on precise conditions and functions. Disrupting these processes can lead to complications,” Warren explained.
He noted that elevated blood sugar levels from diabetes can also contribute to abnormal organ development. Additionally, certain chemicals found in tobacco smoke, including nicotine, can diminish oxygen supply to the fetus.
Warren emphasized the need for ongoing efforts. He referenced Mississippi’s recent declaration of a public health emergency, which aims to address the “Care Desert,” where women struggle to access obstetric services due to high infant mortality rates.
External researchers commended the release of the study amidst budget cuts and proposed reductions in funding for agencies.
“We are pleased to see this research continue, even amidst questions about its future,” remarked Wendy Nenberd, director of the Center for Research and Prevention at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
National Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasizes that addressing the “epidemic” of chronic diseases is fundamental to his health agenda, often citing unexpected statistics as a compelling reason for public health reform in the nation.
Recently, President Trump proposed a budget that includes a nearly 50% reduction in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This plan includes the complete elimination of the Chronic Disease Center, leaving many state and city health officials stunned.
“A significant portion of Americans suffers from some form of chronic illness,” noted Dr. Matifha Frathschwei Davis, the health director for the city of St. Louis.
In discussing the proposed cuts, she questioned, “How can we justify this as a step toward making America healthy again?”
Last month, the Federal Health Administration eliminated 2,400 positions from the CDC. The National Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, which operates with the largest budget within the CDC, was affected greatly by these changes.
Several initiatives, including those addressing lead poisoning, smoking cessation, and reproductive health, were discontinued amid the reorganization.
The proposed budget slashes CDC funding to around $4 billion, down from $9.2 billion allocated for 2024.
Notably, the budget plan does not account for the $1.2 billion set aside for the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which could mean even deeper cuts than Trump’s initial proposal indicates.
Additional programs aimed at preventing injuries, including those from firearms, HIV surveillance and prevention initiatives, and grants for state preparedness in public health emergencies, will also be eliminated.
The budget outlines that these reductions aim to eliminate “duplicate, DEI, or unnecessary programs.” While Congress will draft a federal budget, it’s uncertain how much influence Trump’s proposal will wield, given the current Republican majority and his allegiance to the former president.
CDC officials were informed that the Chronic Disease Center’s functions are to be absorbed by a new division under the Department of Health, called Management for a Healthy America.
Moreover, the newly released proposal seems to earmark $500 million for the Health Secretary to focus on “nutrition, physical activity, healthy lifestyle, medication, and treatment.”
However, the Chronic Disease Center’s budget at the CDC had nearly tripled previously. Plus, even if some chronic disease programs are revived under AHA, it’s doubtful that CDC scientists from Atlanta will be included.
“The true experts in managing these programs might no longer be with the CDC,” stated Dr. Scott Harris, state health officer with the Alabama Department of Public Health. “My state certainly lacks the same level of expertise.”
The Department of Health and Human Services has yet to respond to requests for comments.
The CDC’s Chronic Disease Center has spearheaded initiatives to prevent cancer, heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s disease. The center has also launched programs that range from developing hiking trails in rural areas to advocating for healthier food options in airports and promoting wellness in underserved communities.
Dr. Davis noted that her department is already feeling the impact of cuts aimed at reducing smoking and lead poisoning, as over $11 billion in funding previously provided by the CDC to the state’s health department has been withdrawn.
“I’m going to be back in the COVID-19 cycle with everything happening,” Dr. Davis remarked.
Under the proposed budget, the administration suggests that responsibilities of eliminated programs would be better handled at the state level. Yet, the state’s health department already administers the majority of chronic disease programs, with 75% of the funding from the CDC supporting these efforts.
Dr. Harris described the loss of funds as “devastating for us.”
Alabama ranks among the states with the highest rates of chronic disease, with about 84% of the Department of Public Health’s budget reliant on the CDC, according to Dr. Harris. Approximately $6 million is allocated for programs addressing chronic diseases, such as blood pressure screenings, diabetes nutrition education, and promoting physical activity.
He added, “I really don’t know where these funds would come from if these cuts happen.” “No one truly seems to know what to expect, and our input isn’t being sought.”
Minnesota’s health department has already reduced its workforce by 140 employees, with more potential layoffs looming if additional CDC funds are lost. Cutting chronic disease prevention resources jeopardizes nursing homes, vaccination clinics, and public health programs for Native Americans in the state.
“Federal actions have left us in precarious situations without support,” noted Dr. Brooke Cunningham, the state health commissioner.
Recently, Dr. Cunningham observed, “There was a shared understanding at the local, state, and federal levels that investing in health was crucial.”
The impact of the CDC’s Chronic Disease Center extends into many unexpected areas of American life.
In Prairie Village, Kansas, Stephanie Bar was made aware of the center’s resources while working as an uninsured waitress fifteen years ago when she discovered a lump in her breast.
Through the CDC’s National Early Breast and Cervical Cancer Detection Program, she received mammograms and ultrasounds, and staff assisted her in signing up for Medicaid after her biopsy revealed cancer. “It was caught just in time,” said Barr, now 45 and cancer-free.
Since its 1991 inception, the program has conducted over 16.3 million screenings for more than 6.3 million individuals, offering vital services to those without affordable access.
One such organization, 530 Health, has petitioned lawmakers to reject the proposed HHS budget, which would reduce discretionary spending by about one-third. The signers expressed that such cuts would “devastate” the nation’s research and public health systems.
The budget also suggests dismantling the disease registry and surveillance frameworks.
“Without gathering data and maintaining these surveillance systems, we lose sight of health trends,” explained Dr. Philip Fan, director of Dallas County Health and Human Services in Texas.
“You lose all historical context,” he added.
In his former role as the Director of Chronic Diseases in Texas, Dr. Huang collaborated closely with CDC experts who successfully curbed tobacco use among Americans. “Dismantling smoking and health initiatives is irrational if you aim to address chronic illnesses,” he stated.
Smoking continues to be a leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., claiming over 480,000 lives annually, as per CDC data.
Although more than 10% of Americans smoke regularly, usage rates differ significantly by region, and CDC monitoring helps identify areas that require intervention programs.
“While smoking rates have declined, tobacco companies are poised to exploit any federal laxity,” warned Erica Seward, vice president of advocacy for the American Lung Association.
She cautioned that tobacco companies are continuously developing new products, like nicotine pouches, adding, “Reining this back in will cost significantly more.”
The CDC Chronic Disease Center collaborates with community and academic institutions to promote effective health initiatives, leading nutrition classes and fitness programs to engage rural youths in Iowa as well as training members of Black churches in Columbia, South Carolina.
In rural Missouri, numerous walking trails have been developed in the “boot heels” region, an area marked by high obesity and diabetes rates, as noted by Dr. Ross Brownson, a public health researcher at Washington University in St. Louis, who is allied with the CDCC to steer the Center for Prevention Research.
“There’s robust evidence that enhancing community walkability can increase physical activity,” affirmed Dr. Brownson. “While there are no health clubs in the countryside, residents can appreciate nature and walk, and land is relatively affordable.”
In Rochester, New York, CDC funding supports training for deaf individuals to lead wellness programs tailored for other members of the deaf community who might struggle to engage in traditional gym classes.
In San Diego, researchers are exploring methods to shield farm workers from UV and heat-related ailments.
“When they mobilize and begin to take action, they become self-sufficient and are no longer reliant on government support,” commented Allison Bey, who recently lost her position overseeing such initiatives at the CDC.
The CDC reorganization has also resulted in the cancellation of the lead poisoning program, a significant concern as lead exposure represents “one of our major public health threats in Cleveland,” noted Dr. David Margolius, the city’s public health director.
Although the CDC does not directly fund the lead program in Cleveland, which relies on state funding, Dr. Margolius emphasized, “We depend on federal expertise to guide us toward a future free of lead exposure. This shift will have major repercussions for us.”
The proportion of American children, whose autism spectrum disorder is estimated to have increased in 2022, continues to have a long-term trend. Released data Tuesday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Of those ages 8, one in 31 people were found to have autism in 2022, compared to one in 36 people in 2020. That rate is almost five times higher than the number in 2000, when agencies first began collecting data.
Health agencies noted that the increase is most likely driven by better perceptions and screening, as it is not because autism itself is becoming more common.
It diverged surprisingly well from the rhetoric of the country’s health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who said on Tuesday that “the autism epidemic is ramping.”
Kennedy has repeatedly tried to connect the increase in autism with vaccines. Dozens of studies For decades when such a link could not be established. Nevertheless, the Health Secretary has launched a federal study to revisit the possibilities and hired a well-known skeptical vaccine to oversee its efforts.
Kennedy recently announced efforts by the Department of Health and Human Services to identify “the origin of the epidemic” by September.
“They’re doing this,” said Katherine Lord, a psychologist and autism researcher at the University of California David Geffen School of Medicine in Los Angeles.
Instead, a key part of the increase could be attributed to years of widening diagnosis to capture milder cases, Dr. Lord said, but he also said it could raise awareness of stigma and support services.
Still, she left the possibility that other factors contribute to more children who develop autism. “We can explain a lot of increases, but perhaps not everything,” Dr. Lord said.
“But whatever it is, it’s not a vaccine,” she added.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social interactions, communication, sensory problems, repetitive interest and difficulties in behavior.
The cause remains largely unknown, but researchers believe it has a strong genetic component. “It’s very unlikely that it could be one cause or even a few causes,” Dr. Lord said.
The prevalence of disability has been steadily rising since 2000 when the network first began tracking.
Other trends were evident in new research. White children and children in wealthy socioeconomic regions have long had the highest percentage of autism in the United States, but that trend reversed in 2018.
Since 2020, the proportion of black and Latino children has been known to be autistic, and no longer has any links to wealthy communities found in the data.
The CDC reported a prevalence of 3.7% of black children, 3.3% among Hispanic children, and 3.8% among Asian American children.
Autism has long been associated with juveniles, and the differences that may be linked to genetics are that girls are now diagnosed at a higher rate as they are now increasingly aware of the subtle ways in which disability manifests, often manifesting in teen years.
According to the CDC, autism was 3.8 times higher than that of girls in 2022, down from 3.8 times higher than in 2020.
The data also showed the surprising variability in autism diagnosis by geography from 5.3% of 8-year-olds in California to just 1% to just 1% in Texas.
The availability of specific medical and educational resources increases the likelihood that these children will be identified. For example, California has a program that trains local pediatricians to identify signs of autism at an early age, and a community center that provides autism services.
Pennsylvania, which had the second highest prevalence, has a state Medicaid program that guarantees compensation for children with developmental disabilities regardless of their parents’ income.
The significant federal health workers layoffs that began Tuesday will result in a substantial reduction in the scope and impact of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the world’s premier public health agency.
The Department of Health and Human Services reorganization will trim the CDC workforce by 2,400 employees, representing about 18% of the total workforce, and eliminate some core functions.
Some Democrats in Congress have criticized the reorganization of the entire HHS as potentially illegal.
“We cannot dismantle and reconstruct HHS without congressional approval,” said Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat and member of the Senate Health Committee.
“Not only is this potentially illegal, but it is also incredibly damaging, putting the health and well-being of Americans at risk,” she added.
Murray highlighted that the Trump administration has not specified which units within the CDC and other health agencies have been affected by the layoffs. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated last week that the layoffs would primarily impact management functions.
However, information obtained from numerous workers by the New York Times indicates that the cuts were more widespread. Scientists working on environmental health, asthma, injuries, lead poisoning, smoking, and climate change have been let go.
Researchers studying blood disorders, violence prevention, and vaccine access have also been terminated. The HIV and Sexually Transmitted Disease Agency Centre experienced the most significant staff reduction, losing around 27% of its workforce.
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, which offers recommendations for maintaining workplace safety, has been mostly dissolved.
Public health experts noted that what remains of the CDC has been severed from its global influence, resulting in fewer resources for environmental health, occupational health, and disease prevention.
President Trump has selected Susan Monares, the acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to permanently lead the agency.
Replacing his initial choice, Dr. Dave Weldon, the president nominated infectious disease researcher Dr. Monares for the position, making her the first non-physician to lead the agency in over 50 years if confirmed by the Senate.
In an article for The Truth Society, President Trump explained that the CDC’s loss of trust was due to political bias and mismanagement, and expressed confidence that Dr. Monares, along with health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., would address the current disease outbreak and restore agency accountability.
Trump praised Dr. Monares as an exceptional mother and dedicated civil servant, underscoring her understanding of the importance of safeguarding children, communities, and the future.
Dr. Monares, who assumed the role of acting director shortly after Trump’s inauguration in January, previously served as the deputy director of a new federal biomedical research institute established during the Biden administration.
Initially expected to hold the position until Dr. Weldon’s confirmation, Dr. Monares now stands as Trump’s nominee after the withdrawal of Dr. Weldon, who reportedly failed to impress Senate Republicans with his plans.
Dr. Monares’ expertise in biosecurity, including her endorsement of the Covid vaccine, may signal a shift in attitudes toward anti-vaccine sentiments, differentiating her from Dr. Weldon, who raised concerns within the medical community.
Dr. George Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, commended Dr. Monares as a respected infectious disease expert with solid research credentials and a keen understanding of the role of public health in government.
While praised for her expertise, Dr. Monares faces criticism for her absence at the CDC’s headquarters in Atlanta, with concerns raised by employees regarding communication and agency operations.
Allegedly, the comment section on the agency’s internal website was removed after staff expressed a desire for more engagement from Dr. Monares, who reportedly follows presidential directives with minimal input from agency directors.
Reportedly serving as a conduit for directives from the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Monares has been involved in agency cost-cutting efforts and compliance with Trump administration orders.
During directives to remove specific content from CDC websites under the Trump administration, Dr. Monares allegedly complied without resistance or efforts to preserve valuable data.
National Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Saturday instructed leaders of the nonprofit organization he founded to mimic the design of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site, but to remove web pages that mimic cases where the vaccine causes autism.
The page was published on a site that is clearly registered in the Child Health Defense of the nonprofit Anti-Vaccination Group. Kennedy’s actions came after the New York Times asked about the page and then it bouncing off all over social media.
The page was taken offline on a Saturday night.
“Committee Kennedy has directed the Advisory Bureau to send formal demand to children’s health defenses requesting the removal of their website,” the Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement.
“At HHS, we are dedicated to restoring the institutions to a tradition that supports science based on gold standard evidence,” the statement said.
It was not clear why the anti-vaccine group released a page mimicking the CDC. The organization did not respond to requests for comment, and Kennedy said it cut ties with the presidential election in 2023.
The fake vaccine safety page was virtually indistinguishable from what is available on CDC’s own site. The layout, typeface and logo were the same, and probably violated federal copyright laws.
The CDC’s own website refutes the relationship between vaccines and autism, but fraudsters leave the possibility of existence open. The bottom included a link to video testimony from parents who believed their child was harmed by the vaccine.
The page was first published Reported on Substack by E. Rosalie LiFounder of Information Epidemiology Lab. The nonprofit did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
For many years, Kennedy has argued that there is a link between vaccines and autism. He held that stance during the Senate confirmation hearing despite extensive research exposing the theory.
Under his direction, the CDC recently announced plans to review the evidence. This is a waste of money from Senator Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican and chairman of the Senate Health Committee.
Online at Mock Web Pages is the familiar blue banner from CDC above, featuring the agency’s blue and white logo and the term “vaccine safety.” The headline read “Vaccinations and autism.”
The text supported the link between vaccines and autism, laid out both the exposed research, but left it announced the possibility that it had been countered by scientists.
This included citations to research by Brian S. Hooker, chief science officer for child health defense, as well as other studies critical of vaccination.
“This is a mix of legally peer-reviewed and fake,” said Dr. Bruce Guerin, who oversaw HHS’ vaccine programs for the Bush and Obama administrations.
“Footnotes give the impression that it’s a legitimate scientific work,” he added.
The series of testimonies at the bottom of the page featured videos with titles such as “Mother of 3: I Will Will Will Wild Again” and “We Signed His Life.”
This is in stark contrast to CDC officials. Autism and Vaccine Websitewhich is primarily devoted to exposing connection ideas, clearly saying, “study shows no links.”
Recently, Children’s Health Defense has faced the outbreak of measles in West Texas.
The organization’s CHD.TV channel posted an on-camera interview with the parents of a six-year-old girl who was declared dead from measles by the state health department.
The child was not vaccinated and had no underlying medical conditions. According to the health organization. However, they claimed that children’s health defenses had obtained hospital records that conflict with the cause of death.
The organization also handled the girl’s siblings and interviewed Dr. Ben Edwards, one of two Texas doctors.
In response to the video, Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock, Texas issued a statement this week that “recent videos are circulating online and contain misleading inaccurate claims,” saying the confidentiality law does not prevent hospitals from providing information specifically relating to cases.
CDC Director Mandy Cohen emphasized the importance of utilizing tools and guidelines to help individuals identify places to stay cool when air conditioning is not available, recognize symptoms of heat illness, and properly manage medications. Cohen highlighted the significance of understanding how drugs interact with heat during a press conference on Monday.
“While heat can impact our health, it is crucial to remember that heat-related illness and death are preventable,” Cohen stated.
Heat-related deaths outnumber those caused by other extreme weather events such as floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes in the United States each year. The record-breaking heat experienced last summer highlighted the threat of scorching temperatures, particularly in the South and Southwest regions of the country.
NOAA officials expressed optimism that the new resources will assist communities in preparing for the upcoming summer season. The agency anticipates above-average temperatures in May and June across the United States, indicating another hot summer ahead.
“It is never too early to start preparing for heat-related challenges,” emphasized NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad during a briefing.
NOAA’s HeatRisk tool categorizes heat risks on a scale from 0 (green) to 4 (magenta), with 4 indicating extreme and/or prolonged heat impacts. The tool considers factors such as maximum and minimum temperatures as well as the combined effects of heat during both day and night. It is tailored to provide location-specific heat outlooks as environmental conditions vary from one place to another.
The forecast also includes historical data to provide context on the predicted temperatures relative to past records during the same time of year.
NOAA National Weather Service Director Ken Graham highlighted that the HeatRisk tool can assist individuals in making informed decisions about outdoor activities based on the heat risk level. The tool aims to complement heat watches and warnings issued by government agencies by offering additional context for users.
The initial prototype of the HeatRisk tool was developed for California by the National Weather Service in 2013 and expanded to include Western states in 2017. It is currently available as a trial tool across the continental United States.
Members of the public are encouraged to submit feedback on the tool by September 30th to the National Weather Service.
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