Thousands of employees have been pushed out of CDC. What does this mean for public health?
The CDC Listening Project conducts confidential interviews with recently separated staff to document their professional paths, the public health significance of their work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the real and potential impacts of its disruption.
Were you affected by workforce reductions at CDC?
If you were RIFed, furloughed, or pushed into retirement since January 2025 and would like to share your experience, we invite you to share your story.
“They eliminated whole divisions dedicated to HIV and reproductive health, as well as my own division which addressed social determinants of health. Scientific subject matter experts were let go—even in congressionally funded programs like Alzheimer’s.”
— Former CDC Communications Specialist
“I am proud of helping to protect millions of children from the agony of polio paralysis.”
— Former CDC Epidemiologist
“I believe that I helped make the world healthier and safer, one video at a time.”
— Former CDC Videographer
“CDC’s work ripples out through communities all across this beautiful country. When we cut the states, some can’t sustain the work… When you hurt the CDC, you hurt the local nonprofit in rural Oklahoma.”
— Former CDC Project Officer