At the CDC’s Building 21 in Atlanta, staff operate under a climate of fear, avoiding Zoom meetings and discussing budgets only in soundproof offices. Since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became health secretary in February, over 10,000 experienced employees have been fired, leading to a chaotic work environment. Many health programs, perceived as “woke,” have faced cancellation, and the agency’s research efforts are being significantly hampered. Those who remain feel monitored and uneasy, fearing for the future of public health as funding shortages cause essential programs to be dismantled.
Kennedy’s controversial moves, including firing the entire advisory committee on immunization practices, have led insiders to express concerns over the politicization of vaccines. Plans to revamp vaccine policies and health infrastructure are criticized as potentially damaging. Alongside inefficient bureaucratic processes, the closures of vital health programs, such as childhood lead-poisoning prevention, raise alarms about long-term health impacts on Americans.
Overall, the atmosphere is one of anxiety and uncertainty, with ongoing changes making it difficult for staff to focus on their work, leading many to believe that the current leadership paradigm is detrimental to public health.
