Partisanship Is Poisoning Public Health

"It's not normal for public health to be so partisan. The current administration has slashed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) programs that protect Americans from cancer, heart disease, stroke, birth defects and workplace harms. It has derailed lifesaving programs created by President George W. Bush that protect children from malaria and prevent the spread of HIV, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases."

"The scientist selected by this administration to lead the CDC was fired after less than a month. Most of CDC's top leaders have been fired or resigned, as have more than one-quarter of CDC staff. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., replaced the advisory group that issues vaccine guidance with people who know little about vaccines and have made recommendations that don't reflect evidence. This partisanship is unhealthy, and it's poisoning our societal immune system."

"Fewer people are getting COVID shots and other lifesaving vaccines, government is slower to respond to outbreaks, and smokers have a harder time quitting because of cuts to the quit-smoking hotlines and antismoking campaigns. More dangerous damage will be less visible: ending systems that track risks to mothers and infants and other systems that track and stop health risks. When we can't find threats as fast or respond as rapidly, the next health disaster is likely to be more deadly than it would otherwise be."

Partisan political interference has led to cuts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, eliminating programs that prevent cancer, heart disease, stroke and birth defects. Lifesaving global programs that protect children from malaria and combat HIV and tuberculosis have been derailed. CDC leadership has been destabilized by firings and resignations, including the brief removal of a newly selected director and the departure of more than one-quarter of staff. Vaccine advisory panels were replaced with members lacking vaccine expertise and making non-evidence-based recommendations. Cuts to prevention, surveillance, and quit-smoking initiatives have reduced vaccination rates and slowed outbreak responses, increasing the risk of deadlier health disasters.

Read at www.scientificamerican.com