ProPublica Investigates: The Impact of RFK Jr. and the Trump Administration on Federal Health Worker Numbers

health agencies raise concerns about public health preparedness and the nation's ability to respond to emerging health crises.">

August 21, 2025

Washington D.C. – A sweeping reduction in personnel across several critical U.S. health agencies is prompting warnings from former officials and raising questions about the future of public health infrastructure. The staffing declines, impacting organizations responsible for disease control, medical research, and food and drug safety, could significantly hamper the nation’s ability to address current and future health challenges.

The Scale of the Cuts

An analysis reveals a substantial decrease in workforce numbers, with some agencies experiencing losses exceeding 20 percent. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,instrumental in safeguarding public health,has seen a 15 percent reduction in its personnel. The National Institutes of Health, the world’s leading public funder of biomedical research, has lost 16 percent of its staff. Perhaps most concerning, the Food and Drug Governance, responsible for ensuring the safety of food, drugs, and medical devices, has experienced a 21 percent decline in personnel.

These cuts have manifested through layoffs, contract terminations, early retirements, and employees accepting buyout offers. The departures include seasoned professionals, some of whom played pivotal roles in recent public health successes, like the rapid development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. This represents a significant loss of institutional knowledge and expertise.

Contradictory Priorities and Policy Shifts

Many observers note that the cuts appear to contradict stated administration priorities. as an example, regulators with vaccine safety expertise have been dismissed, even as the administration publicly affirms its commitment to robust vaccine programs. Similarly,a center dedicated to combating chronic diseases has been weakened despite declared efforts to address this growing health crisis.

According to reports,these changes have created an environment of uncertainty and fear within the agencies,prompting many current and former employees to speak anonymously. Concerns center around the potential for reduced oversight, fewer inspections, and a diminished capacity to respond effectively to outbreaks and emerging health threats.

Impact on Public Health and Safety

The consequences of these staff reductions are far-reaching. Federal researchers may conduct fewer clinical trials, potentially slowing down medical advancements. Regulators may conduct fewer or less thorough inspections of vital facilities, such as food processing plants and foreign drug manufacturers, increasing the risk of unsafe products reaching consumers. Public health specialists may be less prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to outbreaks of infectious diseases.

Did You Know? According to a recent report by the Kaiser Family Foundation, public health funding has been consistently underfunded for over a decade, even before these recent cuts.

Agency Staffing Reductions – A Snapshot

Agency	Staff Reduction (%)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)	15%
National Institutes of Health (NIH)	16%
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)	21%

the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) defended the cuts as a streamlining of “bloated bureaucracies” and a redirection of resources toward more impactful science. though, former Health Secretary Xavier Becerra has publicly characterized the cuts as “reckless,” emphasizing that public health is a basic government function and that rebuilding a skilled workforce takes considerable time and investment.

Pro Tip: Stay informed about public health recommendations by regularly visiting the CDC and FDA websites for the latest updates and guidance.

The Long-Term Implications of public Health Workforce Decline

The current staffing reductions are not simply a temporary setback; they represent a potential erosion of the nation’s public health infrastructure. Recruiting and retaining qualified professionals in these fields is challenging even in optimal circumstances. These cuts exacerbate existing recruitment difficulties and may discourage future generations from pursuing careers in public health.

A diminished public health workforce could lead to increased vulnerability to epidemics, slower response times to health emergencies, and a decline in the overall health and well-being of the population. Prioritizing sustained investment in public health is crucial for safeguarding the nation’s future.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the primary concern regarding the health agency staff cuts?

  The primary concern is the potential for reduced public health preparedness and a diminished capacity to respond to emerging health crises.

• Which agencies have been most affected by the workforce reductions?

  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have experienced the most significant staff reductions.

• How does HHS justify the staff cuts?

  HHS argues the cuts are a streamlining of “bloated bureaucracies” and a reallocation of resources.

• what is the potential impact on food and drug safety?

  Reduced staffing at the FDA could lead to fewer inspections and an increased risk of unsafe products reaching consumers.

• What can be done to address the decline in the public health workforce?

  increased investment in public health education, competitive salaries, and a renewed focus on the importance of public service are essential for attracting and retaining qualified professionals.

What impact will these cuts have on your community? Do you think the administration is making the right choices with these reductions?

What specific policy decisions enacted during the Trump governance most directly contributed to the decline in CDC staffing levels?

The Erosion of Public Health Staffing: A Multi-Year Trend

ProPublica’s inquiry reveals a concerning decline in federal health worker numbers, a trend demonstrably accelerated during the Trump administration and continuing to be shaped by the rhetoric and policy positions of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. While staffing fluctuations are common across administrations, the scale and specific areas of reduction raise significant questions about the future of public health preparedness and response. This analysis focuses on key agencies like the CDC,NIH,and FDA,examining workforce data and policy shifts. Public health workforce, CDC staffing, NIH budget cuts, and FDA personnel are critical search terms driving interest in this topic.

Trump Administration Policies and Workforce Reductions

The Trump administration prioritized deregulation and a smaller federal government, impacting health agencies in several ways:

Budget Cuts: Significant budget cuts were proposed and, in some cases, implemented across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These cuts directly affected hiring freezes and attrition rates within agencies.

Reorganization Efforts: Attempts to restructure the CDC and NIH, including proposals to centralize power within the HHS Secretary’s office, created uncertainty and led to experienced personnel leaving.

COVID-19 Response Interference: Politicization of the COVID-19 response, including downplaying the severity of the pandemic and questioning scientific consensus, demoralized public health officials and contributed to resignations.

Hiring Freezes & Attrition: Across multiple agencies, hiring freezes were implemented, and natural attrition wasn’t adequately addressed, leading to critical skill gaps. Federal employee attrition, HHS budget, and COVID-19 response are key related searches.

Data from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) shows a consistent decline in full-time equivalent (FTE) employees at the CDC between 2016 and 2020, with the steepest drops occurring in 2018 and 2019. Similar trends were observed at the NIH,notably in research grant administration roles.

RFK Jr.’s Rhetoric and Potential Future Impacts

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s campaign and public statements have fueled skepticism towards public health institutions and vaccine safety. While not directly holding office, his influence on public discourse poses a potential threat to rebuilding the public health workforce.

Anti-Vaccine Sentiment: Kennedy Jr.’s long-standing advocacy against vaccines, despite overwhelming scientific evidence supporting their safety and efficacy, contributes to a climate of distrust. This distrust can deter qualified individuals from pursuing careers in public health. Vaccine hesitancy,RFK jr. vaccine stance, and public trust in science are crucial keywords.

Attacks on Public Health Agencies: Frequent criticisms of the CDC, NIH, and FDA erode public confidence in these institutions, making it harder to attract and retain talented professionals.

Potential Policy Implications: Should Kennedy Jr. gain political influence, his stated policy positions could lead to further budget cuts, deregulation, and a weakening of public health infrastructure. Public health policy, deregulation impacts, and health infrastructure are relevant search terms.

Specific agency Impacts: Case studies

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The CDC experienced a significant loss of expertise in infectious disease epidemiology and outbreak response during the Trump years. This was particularly evident during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, where delays in testing and data collection hampered the response.A 2022 report by the CDC itself acknowledged the need for significant investment in workforce development.

National Institutes of Health (NIH): Budget cuts and administrative burdens slowed down research progress at the NIH. The loss of experienced grant administrators created bottlenecks in funding distribution, impacting critical research projects. NIH funding, medical research, and grant administration are important search terms.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA): the FDA faced increased political pressure to expedite drug approvals, potentially compromising safety standards. Staffing shortages in the drug review division raised concerns about the thoroughness of evaluations. FDA drug approval process,pharmaceutical regulation,and drug safety are relevant keywords.

The Role of Political Polarization

The increasing polarization of American politics has exacerbated the challenges facing the public health workforce.Public health officials have become targets of political attacks, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has created a unfriendly habitat for those working to protect public health. Political interference in public health, public health threats, and health misinformation are crucial search terms.

Rebuilding the Public Health Workforce: Challenges and Opportunities

Rebuilding the public health workforce requires a multi-faceted approach:

increased Funding: Substantial and sustained investment in public health infrastructure is essential.

Competitive Salaries and Benefits: Attracting and retaining qualified professionals requires competitive compensation packages.

Improved Training and Education: Investing in training programs and educational opportunities will ensure a skilled workforce.

restoring public Trust: Rebuilding public trust in public health institutions is crucial. This requires transparency, accountability, and a commitment to scientific integrity. *Public health