At the CDC headquarters in Atlanta, employees have adopted a low-profile approach amidst fears of monitoring and job insecurity following dramatic staff cuts since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became health secretary. Over 10,000 experienced employees have been fired, and many remaining staff are coping with a pervasive atmosphere of surveillance and dysfunction.
Kennedy’s policies have led to significant changes in health priorities, disruption of scientific norms, and the cancellation of many research initiatives deemed “woke.” Critics within the CDC and other health agencies express deep concern that these reforms, including controversial vaccine policy changes, threaten public health.
Kennedy’s sweeping reforms include the dismissal of the entire advisory committee on immunization practices and the launch of programs perceived as regressive. While he promotes a health agenda focused on chronic disease prevention, insiders note the dismantling of crucial programs and bureaucratic hurdles that threaten operational efficiency. Experts fear that these actions could have severe long-term implications for public health.
Amidst the turmoil, staff voice frustration over a lack of clarity and direction, with many fearing the consequences of these changes not just for the U.S. but globally. The broader implications of Kennedy’s approach have left uncertainty about the future of the nation’s health response.
