September 4, 2025
The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) expresses deep concern over recent layoffs and high-profile resignations among senior leadership at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as the very recent House of Representatives appropriations proposal for a 20% funding cut to the CDC.
The CDC has long been a cornerstone of public health in the United States and a global leader in disease prevention, outbreak response, and health research. Leadership instability and the departure of experienced public health professionals threaten to undermine the agency’s mission at a time when strong, evidence-based guidance is needed more than ever.
Public health must remain rooted in science. The politicization of scientific guidance — whether implicit or explicit — erodes public trust, weakens the ability to respond effectively to emerging threats, and ultimately puts lives at risk. The CDC’s recommendations must continue to be driven by data, research, and the best available evidence — not political pressure or short-term agendas.
We urge federal decision-makers to reaffirm their support for the independence and integrity of the CDC and for appropriators to provide the necessary funding without a reduction from FY25 levels. Public health professionals deserve the freedom to speak openly, act transparently, and provide science-based recommendations that protect the health of all communities, both in the United States and globally.
ASTMH stands with the dedicated scientists and staff at the CDC and across the public health sector. We remain committed to advocating for strong, science-informed leadership and policies that safeguard the public's health.