The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has implemented sweeping layoffs, leaving health experts concerned about the future of vital programs focused on drowning prevention, gun violence research, and smoking cessation. More than 2,400 employees were terminated without consulting senior leaders, with some groups facing as much as a 50% staff reduction. The CDC’s portfolio has expanded to address leading causes of death in the US, including accidents, suicides, overdoses, and chronic illnesses. With the agency shifting its focus towards combating chronic disease, some researchers worry that essential work on injury prevention, drowning, and firearm safety may be compromised.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/04/05/cdc-job-cuts-health-issues