The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been facing a challenging period since the Trump administration took office in 2025. The workforce has endured mass firings, communication freezes, political interference in scientific missions, and a revolving door of leaders. As a public health researcher and former CDC employee, I worked with a team to conduct an anonymous survey of over 600 CDC workers, revealing a workforce concerned about the agency's declining ability to fulfill its public health mission. The CDC's mission is to protect and improve the health of Americans by preventing, detecting, and controlling disease. However, the cuts to the CDC workforce and leadership have put these functions in jeopardy, especially during the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. The survey found that 99% of CDC employees believe the administration's changes have reduced the agency's capacity to respond to public health emergencies. This is evident in the CDC's response to measles outbreaks, where communication has been confusing and sparse, attributed to the workforce cuts. The CDC has lost over a quarter of its federal employee workforce since 2025, with over 1,000 employees fired and hundreds on administrative leave. This has led to burnout among current employees, with 85% reporting it. The nonscientific workforce has also been hard-hit, with many offices and teams eliminated. The cuts to the CDC's chronic disease and injury prevention programs are particularly concerning, as these diseases are the leading causes of death in Americans and children, respectively. Despite claims of a focus on preventing chronic disease, the administration has quietly shuttered many prevention programs, including those dedicated to women's health, violence and injury prevention, and healthy aging. The survey also revealed that 95% of respondents believe Americans will die because of the administration's changes to the agency. The impact of these cuts ripples through the country, affecting local health departments and the public health infrastructure. In conclusion, the CDC's workforce is struggling, and the agency's ability to protect the nation's health is at risk. The survey results highlight the need for urgent action to address the challenges facing the CDC and ensure the well-being of Americans.
