CDC faces staffing crisis for funded health programs

CDC public health staffing Alzheimer's research funding federal workforce layoffs Erica Schwartz

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is facing a crisis as several key public health programs remain funded by Congress but lack the personnel to operate. These so-called ‘zombie programs’ include initiatives for Alzheimer’s and dementia, which received $41.5 million this fiscal year, as well as the Office on Smoking and Health, which has a $246 million allocation. Other affected areas include epilepsy research, sickle cell disease data collection, and rape prevention.

The staffing shortages stem from a massive reduction in force initiated by the Trump administration in April 2025, which saw thousands of federal health employees laid off or placed on administrative leave. This restructuring was part of an effort to reorganize the Department of Health and Human Services. Consequently, approximately one-quarter of the CDC's workforce has either left or been terminated.

Dr. Erica Schwartz, the newly confirmed CDC director, has inherited these challenges. During her confirmation, Senator Tim Kaine pressed her on the agency's obligation to follow congressional mandates for funded offices. Schwartz has pledged to follow the law and ‘speak truth to power’ regarding scientific evidence, even as the agency manages a significant measles outbreak and faces internal concerns regarding a ‘fierce’ brain drain.

Entities

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · Department of Government Efficiency · Department of Health and Human Services · Donald Trump · Erica Schwartz · Tim Kaine

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Approximately one-quarter of the CDC workforce has left the agency or been fired during the current administration. www.nbcnews.com
[● 5 SOURCES] Congress appropriated $41.5 million for the CDC's Alzheimer's and dementia programs this fiscal year. www.medicaldaily.com · lavozhispanact.com · mymotherlode.com · krmg.com
[● 7 SOURCES] Dr. Erica Schwartz, the new CDC director, pledged to follow the law and speak truth to power regarding scientific matters. www.haberaktuel.com · lavozhispanact.com · mymotherlode.com · www.latimes.com · krmg.com · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] The CDC's Office on Smoking and Health has $246 million in congressional allocations but lacks sufficient staffing. www.haberaktuel.com · lavozhispanact.com · mymotherlode.com · www.latimes.com · krmg.com
[● 7 SOURCES] The Trump administration implemented layoffs and placed staff on administrative leave, leaving several CDC programs without personnel. www.medicaldaily.com · www.haberaktuel.com · lavozhispanact.com · mymotherlode.com · www.latimes.com · +1 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] The CDC is currently managing the largest measles outbreak in 35 years, with over 2,500 confirmed cases. www.nbcnews.com