The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiated a substantial workforce reduction on Friday, eliminating approximately 1,300 positions—about 10% of its total staff. The cuts primarily target probationary employees, including recent hires and veteran staff members who had recently changed positions within the agency.
The layoffs, directed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), have created widespread uncertainty among CDC personnel, with staff learning about the cuts through various meetings and phone calls throughout Friday. The reductions affect multiple departments, including the prestigious Epidemic Intelligence Service, where first-year "disease detectives" face termination.
Public health experts express concern about the impact on the CDC's core functions. The agency, operating with a $9.7 billion budget in fiscal year 2025, plays a central role in responding to infectious diseases, managing public health emergencies, and addressing major causes of illness and death in the United States.
"CDC is the health warning system for the United States," notes Katelyn Jetelina, an epidemiologist and author. She warns that such dramatic cuts could compromise the nation's biosecurity capabilities.
The workforce reduction extends beyond the CDC, with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) also experiencing similar cuts on Friday, affecting up to 1,500 employees. Staff members at both agencies report a somber atmosphere, with many expressing concerns about the future of public health and scientific research in the country.
HHS communications director Andrew Nixon stated that the department is following administration guidance to "restructure and streamline the federal government" to serve Americans more efficiently.
These layoffs represent part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to reduce the size of federal agencies, with similar cuts occurring at the Department of Energy and the Department of Veterans Affairs.