Separation From the CDC and Its Consequences for the Public Health Workforce: Findings from the CDC WISE Survey

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ID: 322432
2026
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Abstract
Abstract Introduction Since January 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shed more than one-quarter of its workforce through layoffs, contract cancellations, and fellowship terminations, raising urgent questions about the consequences for affected individuals and for national public health capacity. Methods We surveyed 430 former CDC employees, contractors, and fellows to examine the economic, health, and psychological impacts of these separations. Results Among respondents representing over 7,300 combined years of public health experience, nearly 80% experienced involuntary separations and more than half remained unemployed at the time of the survey. Three-quarters faced financial barriers to health care, nearly 80% reported moderate or severe sleep problems, and half experienced moderate or severe psychological distress. Mid-career and early-career professionals and parents with two or more children faced the greatest vulnerabilities; retirement, reemployment and personal financial reserves were protective. Conclusions These findings document the profound human costs of federal workforce instability and point to the need for targeted transition support, restoration of affected programs, and sustained investment in public health workforce infrastructure to prevent future disruptions.
Reference Key
openalex_W7170175488 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Greta M. Massetti, Ghenet Besera, Laura Chiang, Sherri Pals
Journal Health Affairs Scholar
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/haschl/qxag189
URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/haschl/qxag189
Keywords Keywords not found

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