Post

The Epidemic Intelligence Service, a nationally recognized program that has run since the 1950s, is a critical component of Americas public health training landscape. 🦠 (1/)

A survey of the impact of the program that looked at leadership positions found that “positions were staffed by 353 individuals, of which 185 (52%) were EIS alumni. Among 12 CDC directors, four (33%) were EIS alumni.“ (2/)

“EIS alumni accounted for 29 (58%) of the 50 CDC center directors, 61 (35%) of the 175 state epidemiologists, 27 (56%) of the 48 Field Epidemiology Training Program resident advisors, and 70 (90%) of the 78 Career Epidemiology Field Officers” (3/)

The Epidemic Intelligence Service is crucial in training the next generation of public health leaders. 🏥 The public health workforce is already under strain, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, and will further crumble with these layoffs.

And the cuts won’t stop there - the CDC is at risk as well. RFK has already taken aim at the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a panel of outside experts that makes recommendations on childhood vaccine schedules and drives key policy.

Tuberculosis and Measles, two diseases that have been largely eradicated in the United States due to vaccination efforts, are breaking out across the country. We’re headed to a point where the US is at risk for these diseases, and has no ability to monitor and control them.

We’re also facing unprecedented infectious disease — experts are concerned that bird flu, H5N1, is spreading rapidly in avian populations, and more recently mammals, and could make a jump to infecting humans. Compared to previous strains, it’s more dangerous. {photo - Nautilus Magazine}

America and people around the world deserve: - A robust public health service. - Accurate, trustworthy information that allows you to make health decisions. - Vaccines that save lives. - Clear health communications from experts. All of these are under threat.