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New survey tracks health impacts of Tijuana River sewage
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the San Diego County Health Department are conducting a follow-up door-to-door health survey in Imperial Beach to assess the ongoing impacts of th…
Philadelphia health department warns of possible measles exposure at CHOP
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is warning patients and visitors about a possible measles exposure at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Second person dies of Legionnaires’ disease linked to South Bronx cluster
Last week, the city’s Health Department said one person had died in connection with the cluster.
Health department holds community baby shower for Lynchburg
It’s one of a series of showers that’s part of the Virginia Department of Health’s “Beyond the Blues” campaign.
Licking County Health Department has tested a record number of bats for rabies this year - The Reporting Project
The health department said of the 50 bats it has tested this year, zero have tested positive for the deadly virus.
Cole County Health Department confirms case of rabies in a bat
The Cole County Health Department confirmed that a bat was found to have a positive case of rabies.The bat was tested after it had contact with a stray cat.The
Exclusive-Pennsylvania asks for CDC help on measles outbreak, demands agency recognize measles deaths
By Yasmeen Abutaleb and Dan Levine WASHINGTON, Sept 17 (Reuters) - The Pennsylvania health department said it was requesting emergency support from the US CDC as it grapples with one of the country's
Health Departments Offer Flu Vaccine Ahead of Peak Flu Season
An annual flu shot is the best way to prevent serious flu-related illness and is now available at health departments across coastal Georgia.
Marietta/Belpre Health Department hosting ‘Diaper Drive’ to support families
MARIETTA – The Marietta/Belpre Health Department is hosting a “Diaper Drive” through Sept. 30 to further its diaper bank program started in May, and will support local families and organizations that provide diapers to those in need. Donations are accepted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 304 Putnam St. Cammie Loane, registrar and financial […]
West Nile virus death confirmed in Georgia, health department says
So far, the department has confirmed eight human cases of the virus this year — but that number is expected to rise.
Scabies concern at Lewis County High School addressed; health officials explain reporting guidelines
The Lewis County Health Department was notified of a scabies concern at Lewis County High School on Sept. 10.
Christian County Health Department Offers Personalized Emergency Plans
September is Emergency Preparedness Month, and the Christian County Health Department (CCHD) is helping residents prepare before severe weather or another emergency occurs. CCHD Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Ellen, is offering to create personalized emergency plans for area households. Residents can call the health department at […]
A Jackson County measles case shut down the health department. Here’s what we know
A measles case in eastern Jackson County shut down the health department Monday as officials work to limit the spread and find people who may have been exposed. This is the second confirmed measles case in Jackson County this year.
Health officials clear part of Hastings apartment building after ricin exposure
In a letter health consultation dated Sept. 15 and addressed to Barry-Eaton County Health Department Health Officer Rebekah Condon, MDHHS concluded that first floor apartment units 101 through 113 and the connecting hallway from unit 113 to the south stairwell no longer pose an imminent danger to life and health from ricin.
Cabell-Huntington Health Department
Harley and Liz from the Cabell Huntington Health Department stopped by to talk about how you can keep you and your family safe this flu season.
Measles case confirmed in Jackson County as health officials cite vaccine misinformation
Staff at health department were exposed but are vaccinated, officials say.
Health officials confirm measles case in Marathon County
The Marathon County resident with measles became infected while traveling outside of Wisconsin, according to the Marathon County Health Department.
Prevent cancer. Get the HPV vaccine. - Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
Last revised Sept. 15, 2026 Did you know about 4 in 5 people will get human papillomavirus (HPV) at some point in their lives? It’s a common infection.
Health officials confirm Marathon County measles case linked to out-of-state travel
MADISON, Wis. (WAOW) — The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Marathon County Health Department have confirmed a case of measles in a Marathon County resident.The case was exposed during
Health department reports 2 more measles-related deaths in Pa.
The Department of Health reported two more measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania, bringing the total number to four so far in 2026.
4th measles-related death announced by Pennsylvania health officials
A fourth person has died of measles-related complications in Pennsylvania, the state's health department announced Tuesday.
CHIP Implementation Efforts at PHIG-Funded Local Health Departments
Learn how local public health jurisdictions are bolstering their work using community health improvement plans.
North Central District Health Department offering grant for healthier concession stands
A local health department is aiming to bring healthier options to school concession stands.The North Central District Health Department—based in O'Neill—said it
Laredo Health Department offers COVID-19, flu vaccines
New COVID-19 and flu vaccines have arrived in Laredo ahead of respiratory illness season.
Marietta/Belpre Health Department hosting ‘Diaper Drive’ to support families
MARIETTA – The Marietta/Belpre Health Department is hosting a “Diaper Drive” through Sept. 30 to further its diaper bank program started in May, and will support local families and organizations that provide diapers to those in need. Donations are accepted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 304 Putnam St. Cammie Loane, registrar and financial […]
Minnesota health department specialist talks Asthma Peak Week
If you or someone you know lives with asthma, right now isn't just the start of fall, it's historically the most dangerous time of the year. The third week of September is known as Asthma Peak Week. Every year around this time, hospitals and emergency rooms see a spike is asthma attacks and respiratory emergencies. Andrea Hickle, the asthma program manager for the Minnesota Department of Health, joined FOX 9 News at 5 to talk about Asthma Peak Week.
Health Department reports end of Boone County cyclosporiasis cases
Following 114 reported cases of cyclosporiasis in Boone County this summer, there have been no reported cases in September.
Barry-Eaton health officials to provide update on ricin exposure at Hastings’ Tyden Lofts
The Barry-Eaton District Health Department is expected to provide an update Monday on a ricin exposure that prompted the evacuation of Tyden Lofts in Hastings.
Gov. Stein Announces $1.25 Million to Expand School-Based Health Centers, Including Appalachian District Health Department
Gov. Josh Stein and the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services announced $1.25 million in federal funding through the North Carolina Rural Health Transformation Program to expand preventive and acute health care, provide nutrition support and address behavioral health needs at school-based health centers. Five organizations will receive funding: the Appalachian District Health Department, …
Health department reports 9 cases of measles confirmed in Tennessee this year. Here’s what to know
The bulk of the confirmed cases are located in the East Tennessee region, according to the report.
Health department reports 9 cases of measles confirmed in Tennessee this year. Here’s what to know
The bulk of the confirmed cases are located in the East Tennessee region, according to the report.
News Flash Archive - Burlington County Health Department Hosting AIDS Memorial Quilt Panel Making Session on June 27
NewsFlash
Texas health department requests additional funding to support local departments, maintain programs
The Texas Department of State Health Services is requesting $230 million in additional funding from state lawmakers to support local health departments, maintain critical programs and handle new responsibilities. On Friday, the agency presented its budget request ahead of the 2027 legislative session.
Family Village and Delaware County Health Department launch doula directory
Users can search Delaware County doulas by language, specialty and whether the provider accepts Medicaid.
Cancer advocates join physician groups to defend Florida vaccine mandates
Monday is the deadline to comment on the health department's plan to strike four longstanding immunization requirements that the advocates say are safe and lifesaving.
Health department seeks opioid settlement money for resource mapping
The Springfield-Greene County Health Department has requested up to $500,000 in opioid settlement funds for a health care mapping project.
Yankee Stadium cooling tower positive for Legionnaires' disease, city health department says
The city health department advised anyone who has been in or around Yankee Stadium since late August to get tested for Legionnaires' disease.
Public health event to continue discussion of racial disparities in Douglas County birth outcomes
The health department is inviting the Douglas County community to continue an April conversation focused on racial disparities in local birth outcomes.
Laredo Public Health hosting Get Ready Day workshops
The Laredo Public Health Department is inviting residents to learn lifesaving skills and emergency preparedness through bilingual workshops during Get Ready Day.
Kids Are Back in Classrooms. Health Misinformation Could Shape the School Year.
All summer, Dr. Marvia Jones worried over the data. Jones, director of the Kansas City Health Department in Missouri, read reports showing that not enough public school students were up-to-date with t...
Campbell County health and food inspections (9/4/26–9/10/26)
GILLETTE, Wyo. — The Consumer Health Services Division of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture conducts inspections of retail food establishments throughout Wyoming (where there is not a local health department that does inspections) to help ensure safety of Wyoming residents. Campbell County establishments are inspected at least once a year by the WDA. All of […]
Natrona County health and food inspections (9/4/26–9/10/26)
CASPER, Wyo. — The Casper-Natrona County Health Department inspects restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, mobile food units, commissaries and
Laramie County health and food inspections (9/4/26–9/10/26)
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department inspects restaurants, bars, convenience stores, delis, grocery stores, bed and breakfasts
Health department officials confirm ricin found in Hastings apartments
Officials said testing confirmed the substance found in a now-shuttered Hastings apartment complex was ricin, a potentially deadly toxin.
Health department officials confirm ricin found in Hastings apartments
Officials said testing confirmed the substance found in a now-shuttered Hastings apartment complex was ricin, a potentially deadly toxin.
Testing confirms ricin exposure at Hastings apartment complex, health officials say
The Barry-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD) has confirmed a ricin exposure at Tyden Lofts in Hastings.
Health department to offer flu vaccine starting Sept. 14
The Oneida County Health Department is reminding parents that back-to-school season is a good time to check whether your child’s vaccinations are up to date. “Staying up to date on …
Health Department releases food inspection reports for week of Aug. 30
Scores for the recent Health Department food inspection ranged from 78-100.
Christian County Health Department Talks Vaccine Recommendations
The Christian County Health Department is encouraging community members to be vaccinated against respiratory illnesses. They highlight the flu, COVID-19, and RSV as the key conditions to be aware of, with vaccine recommendations differing by a number of factors. The health department offers the vaccines […]
CCHD: Dr. Chad Anderson Awarded With Emerging Health Leader Award
The Christian County Health Department’s (CCHD) Public Health Administrator, Dr. Chad Anderson, has been honored with quite the accomplishment, as he was recently nominated, and awarded with the Emerging Public Health Leader Award by the Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA). Hart Media Group recently […]
Health administrator fired, plans wrongful termination suit against Monroe County
Monroe County health administrator Lori Kelley has been fired, her attorney says, and plans an EEOC charge and lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and retaliation. Her departure comes as the health department is struggling with nursing vacancies.
CDC vs. Pennsylvania: Why conflicting public health messages jeopardize public safety
When state health departments, federal health agencies and medical societies diverge, how is an ordinary person supposed to know whom to trust?
These Memphis restaurants earned perfect health scores in August
Tennessee Health Department inspectors performed hundreds of health inspections in Shelby County in August. These 22 restaurants earned perfect scores.
Health Department launches hotline for pregnancy, prenatal care
The Arkansas Department of Health has launched the Claim Your Care Hotline to help women connect with pregnancy testing, prenatal care, and other services. The toll-free number, 1-844-808-2340, is available...
Health Department launches hotline for pregnancy, prenatal care
The Arkansas Department of Health has launched the Claim Your Care Hotline to help women connect with pregnancy testing, prenatal care, and other services. The toll-free number, 1-844-808-2340, is available...
Health Department launches hotline for pregnancy, prenatal care
The Arkansas Department of Health has launched the Claim Your Care Hotline to help women connect with pregnancy testing, prenatal care, and other services. The toll-free number, 1-844-808-2340, is available...
Burlington County Health Department Offering Flu Vaccines Beginning September 18
The Burlington County Health Department announced its free flu vaccine clinics schedule to protect residents and keep communities healthy.The Health Department will be holding weekly flu vaccine clini
Lexington-Fayette Health Department sprays for mosquitoes after surge in complaints
The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department has sent teams out to spray for mosquitoes this week after a notable increase in complaints from residents across the county.
St. Mary’s County Health Department Receives $3.5 M for Connected Care Initiative
A new $3.5 million investment is helping St. Mary’s County rethink how residents connect to care, bringing health, behavioral health, wellness, and
Steuben County Public Health confirms 10th measles case since Aug. 18
On Tuesday, the Steuben County health department reported its 10th measles case in an unvaccinated resident.
Chicago health department warning of potential measles exposure at Union Station
The Chicago Department of Public Health is warning commuters of a potential measures exposure at Union Station last month.
Suffolk Health Department warns of rabies after raccoon tests positive
SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The Suffolk Health Department announced that a raccoon recently tested positive for rabies within the city limits. According to officials, the raccoon was picked up by a…
Washtenaw County Health Department issues warning after two bats discovered with rabies
The Washtenaw County Health Department has issued an information warning after two bats with rabies were discovered locally. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.
Bat found in home tested positive for rabies, McDonough County health officials say
The McDonough County Health Department reported finding a bat with rabies in a home on Sept. 3.
MN rabies scare: Health department warns of possible false test results
The Minnesota Department of Health says ASAP Wildlife Services allegedly failed to consistently submit bats for proper rabies testing, leaving some customers in the dark about possible exposures. FOX 9's Corin Hoggard has the latest details.
Tyler reduces NET Health funding to $50K, citing agency’s reserves
The Tyler City Council approved a $287 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year in a 4-2 vote, cementing a 75% funding cut to the region’s local public health department.
Cabell-Huntington Health Department to Host Drive-Through Flu Vaccine Clinic Friday, October 2 - Cabell-Huntington Health Department
Huntington, WV – The Cabell-Huntington Health Department (CHHD) will host a drive-through flu vaccine clinic on Friday, October 2, from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. The clinic will take place […]
The Cost of Cutting American Science: How Federal Cuts Diminish Public Health Capacity
Among the federal government’s many responsibilities is the work it does to protect public health. Federal agencies monitor our food supply to ensure safety, conduct research to better understand emerging health threats, provide funding for public health programs in communities and work to detect and respond to disease outbreaks. Americans rely on these efforts every day—in a 2024 online survey, 74% of respondents said that “if the federal government issued safety guidance about food you eat regularly,” they would follow it. Changes to Federal Public Health Capacity The Trump administration’s efforts to reshape the federal government have resulted in significant impacts on our nation’s public health capacity over the past 20 months, affecting the response to health concerns such as measles, Ebola and cyclosporiasis. Agencies with core public health, food safety and disease prevention responsibilities experienced large workforce decreases during the first year of the administration. At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for instance, the workforce in February 2026 was 26.7% smaller than in September 2024 before the start of the Trump administration. The Food and Drug Administration saw a similarly steep decline of 21.6%. Agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and Food Safety and Inspection Service also experienced large workforce decreases. (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); Changes can also be seen in crucial public health occupations. The number of federal food inspectors, for example, decreased by more than half between September 2024 and February 2026, going from 1,035 to 473. This is the lowest number of food inspectors employed by the federal government since at least 2005. By February 2026, there were also 33.3% fewer federal public health program specialists, whose work includes advising federal funding recipients on public health activities and analyzing the effectiveness of public health programs. Government’s capacity is diminished as employees with specialized knowledge and experience in protecting the public and responding to health risks depart, leaving agencies less prepared to carry out their public health missions. There also have been vacancies in critical high-level leadership positions at public health agencies, most notably at the CDC, which had a permanent Senate-confirmed director for less than a month between January 2025 and early August 2026. Although the CDC has previously been led by acting directors at the start of an administration, the nearly yearlong gap since the departure of the administration’s first permanent director in August 2025 is without precedent. As of August 2026, the FDA is also currently without a Senate-confirmed commissioner following the previous commissioner’s resignation in May 2026. Additionally, public health agencies are experiencing increased politicization of their leadership ranks. In agencies such as the CDC and Food Safety and Inspection Service, the number of individuals in the Senior Executive Service—the most senior career leaders in government—has declined significantly, while at the same time the number of political appointees has reached record levels. (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); At the CDC, for example, the number of career SES decreased 42.9% between December 2024 and February 2026, while the number of non-Senate confirmed political appointees at the agency was six times larger than the agency’s historical average from 2009 and 2024. Knowledgeable career leaders are integral to the ability of public health agencies to carry out their work with scientific integrity and professional judgment, and rapid leadership turnover and increased politicization threaten agencies’ ability to make evidence-based decisions to protect our health. The upheaval and politicization in public health agencies have also negatively affected employee engagement. Strong employee engagement is crucial to the ability of agencies to carry out their mission and successfully provide essential services to the public. In the 2025 Public Service Viewpoint Survey conducted by the Partnership for Public Service, the Department of Health and Human Services—which encompasses major public health agencies such as the CDC and FDA—had an employee engagement and satisfaction score of 20.4 out of 100, one of the lowest among large agencies. Only 2.8% of HHS employees indicated trust in their political leaders and only 8.7% reported confidence that they could report a suspected violation of law or regulation without retaliation. Employees at HHS also reported that the agency’s ability to provide services to the public had suffered. Nearly half of employees at HHS, 47.5%, said their work unit was worse at delivering quality services compared to its performance in 2024. In addition, 57.8% said their work unit was performing worse at fulfilling stakeholder needs. In addition to the work done within federal agencies, the federal government also distributes significant funding for public health and disease prevention work to state and local governments, nonprofits and small businesses—funding which has been significantly disrupted. At the CDC, for example, there was a 71.9% decrease in the amount of project grant funding issued in fiscal year 2025 compared to fiscal year 2024. The FDA also issued far less funding in fiscal year 2025—a 21.3% decrease from its fiscal year 2024 funding. Changes in federal funding include the ending of grants to community organizations that worked on HIV prevention and the cancellation of funding for research into improvements to patient safety and healthcare quality. These changes go beyond federal agencies to impact the broader public health ecosystem, including the state and local health departments responsible for much of the on-the-ground public health work in their communities. About 80% of the CDC’s domestic funding is directed towards state and local partners—meaning that cuts to CDC funding can ultimately result in cuts to state and local public health capacity. Federal agencies also provide expertise and assistance to state and local health agencies as they deal with particular health challenges, but workforce cuts have resulted in fewer federal employees available to help. The Impact of Changes to Public Health Capacity These changes to federal public health capacity are not abstract concerns. Disrupted programs, reduced funding and lost expertise at public health agencies across all levels of government threaten the public’s physical well-being and safety. In some cases, this has already led to harm. The most immediate impacts of federal cuts were seen in interruptions to ongoing public health programs and crisis responses. In one instance, when CDC grants were canceled during the 2025 Texas measles outbreak—the most severe measles outbreak in 25 years—public health officials in Lubbock, Texas were forced to pause parts of their measles response work supported by the frozen funding. Lubbock’s director of public health further said that a lack of available CDC experts to reach out to for advice “definitely” impacted the department’s response to the measles crisis. Cuts to federal funding also forced Dallas County Health and Human Services to cut staff and cancel 50 community vaccination clinics during the outbreak. Public health work outside of major outbreak responses was also disrupted. For example, in April 2025, the Milwaukee Public Health Department was unexpectedly unable to reach experts on lead poisoning due to firings at the CDC when responding to concerns about lead contamination in Milwaukee public schools. Due to federal workforce cuts, several programs at the CDC, including Alzheimer’s and epilepsy programs, have also become trapped in limbo—existing on paper, but without the staff necessary to operate. More recent crises reveal how federal cuts have weakened the public health infrastructure needed to prevent and respond to dangerous new outbreaks. Internationally, cuts at the U.S. Agency for International Development eliminated funding for disease testing and contact tracing abroad, which delayed detection of and responses to the 2026 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While international outbreaks may seem far removed, the unchecked spread of disease in any country can quickly pose a danger to economic well-being, security and health around the world. Within the United States, public health cuts inhibited responses to the summer 2026 outbreak of the food-borne parasite cyclospora. At the federal level, cuts to funding for lab equipment and for CDC staff with expertise in parasitic infections—including 9 out of 11 staff members at the lab responsible for identifying parasitic outbreaks in 2025— contributed to the largest reporting delay in outbreak cases at the CDC in 15 years. Conflicting communications from the FDA about the source of the outbreak, which followed cuts to the agency’s communications department, additionally led to confusion among the public about how to best avoid infection. At the same time, cuts to HHS funding and support for local and state public health slowed some health departments’ responses to the crisis. The exact costs of these delays, constraints and confusion in public health responses are difficult to estimate. However, their message is clear: federal cuts have already made containing threats to public health even more of a challenge. Conclusion Protecting public health—from food safety to disease prevention—is one of the federal government’s most important missions. Dramatic and haphazard cuts to federal agencies and funding have already disrupted the public health system, impacting the response to challenges such as measles, lead poisoning and cyclosporiasis. The U.S. public health system needed improvement before these disruptions. Since 2022, federal leadership and coordination in response to public health outbreaks has been on the Government Accountability Office’s High-Risk List of areas in need of attention to improve government effectiveness and efficiency. Recent cuts only compound these concerns. The chaotic dismantling of government and resulting disruptions to crucial functions like public health and disease prevention highlight the need for meaningful reform and concrete policy proposals to reimagine how government can better serve the public and be more effective, responsive and accountable. To learn more about the impact of federal cuts to public health and science more broadly, visit The Cost of Cutting American Science. Learn more For more information on the Partnership for Public Service’s government reform initiative, visit Government for a New Era. View here In line with The Cost of Cutting American Science, federal workforce data in this brief is as of February 2026
The Cost of Cutting American Science: How Federal Cuts Diminish Public Health Capacity
Among the federal government’s many responsibilities is the work it does to protect public health. Federal agencies monitor our food supply to ensure safety, conduct research to better understand emerging health threats, provide funding for public health programs in communities and work to detect and respond to disease outbreaks. Americans rely on these efforts every day—in a 2024 online survey, 74% of respondents said that “if the federal government issued safety guidance about food you eat regularly,” they would follow it. Changes to Federal Public Health Capacity The Trump administration’s efforts to reshape the federal government have resulted in significant impacts on our nation’s public health capacity over the past 20 months, affecting the response to health concerns such as measles, Ebola and cyclosporiasis. Agencies with core public health, food safety and disease prevention responsibilities experienced large workforce decreases during the first year of the administration. At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for instance, the workforce in February 2026 was 26.7% smaller than in September 2024 before the start of the Trump administration. The Food and Drug Administration saw a similarly steep decline of 21.6%. Agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and Food Safety and Inspection Service also experienced large workforce decreases. (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); Changes can also be seen in crucial public health occupations. The number of federal food inspectors, for example, decreased by more than half between September 2024 and February 2026, going from 1,035 to 473. This is the lowest number of food inspectors employed by the federal government since at least 2005. By February 2026, there were also 33.3% fewer federal public health program specialists, whose work includes advising federal funding recipients on public health activities and analyzing the effectiveness of public health programs. Government’s capacity is diminished as employees with specialized knowledge and experience in protecting the public and responding to health risks depart, leaving agencies less prepared to carry out their public health missions. There also have been vacancies in critical high-level leadership positions at public health agencies, most notably at the CDC, which had a permanent Senate-confirmed director for less than a month between January 2025 and early August 2026. Although the CDC has previously been led by acting directors at the start of an administration, the nearly yearlong gap since the departure of the administration’s first permanent director in August 2025 is without precedent. As of August 2026, the FDA is also currently without a Senate-confirmed commissioner following the previous commissioner’s resignation in May 2026. Additionally, public health agencies are experiencing increased politicization of their leadership ranks. In agencies such as the CDC and Food Safety and Inspection Service, the number of individuals in the Senior Executive Service—the most senior career leaders in government—has declined significantly, while at the same time the number of political appointees has reached record levels. (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); At the CDC, for example, the number of career SES decreased 42.9% between December 2024 and February 2026, while the number of non-Senate confirmed political appointees at the agency was six times larger than the agency’s historical average from 2009 and 2024. Knowledgeable career leaders are integral to the ability of public health agencies to carry out their work with scientific integrity and professional judgment, and rapid leadership turnover and increased politicization threaten agencies’ ability to make evidence-based decisions to protect our health. The upheaval and politicization in public health agencies have also negatively affected employee engagement. Strong employee engagement is crucial to the ability of agencies to carry out their mission and successfully provide essential services to the public. In the 2025 Public Service Viewpoint Survey conducted by the Partnership for Public Service, the Department of Health and Human Services—which encompasses major public health agencies such as the CDC and FDA—had an employee engagement and satisfaction score of 20.4 out of 100, one of the lowest among large agencies. Only 2.8% of HHS employees indicated trust in their political leaders and only 8.7% reported confidence that they could report a suspected violation of law or regulation without retaliation. Employees at HHS also reported that the agency’s ability to provide services to the public had suffered. Nearly half of employees at HHS, 47.5%, said their work unit was worse at delivering quality services compared to its performance in 2024. In addition, 57.8% said their work unit was performing worse at fulfilling stakeholder needs. In addition to the work done within federal agencies, the federal government also distributes significant funding for public health and disease prevention work to state and local governments, nonprofits and small businesses—funding which has been significantly disrupted. At the CDC, for example, there was a 71.9% decrease in the amount of project grant funding issued in fiscal year 2025 compared to fiscal year 2024. The FDA also issued far less funding in fiscal year 2025—a 21.3% decrease from its fiscal year 2024 funding. Changes in federal funding include the ending of grants to community organizations that worked on HIV prevention and the cancellation of funding for research into improvements to patient safety and healthcare quality. These changes go beyond federal agencies to impact the broader public health ecosystem, including the state and local health departments responsible for much of the on-the-ground public health work in their communities. About 80% of the CDC’s domestic funding is directed towards state and local partners—meaning that cuts to CDC funding can ultimately result in cuts to state and local public health capacity. Federal agencies also provide expertise and assistance to state and local health agencies as they deal with particular health challenges, but workforce cuts have resulted in fewer federal employees available to help. The Impact of Changes to Public Health Capacity These changes to federal public health capacity are not abstract concerns. Disrupted programs, reduced funding and lost expertise at public health agencies across all levels of government threaten the public’s physical well-being and safety. In some cases, this has already led to harm. The most immediate impacts of federal cuts were seen in interruptions to ongoing public health programs and crisis responses. In one instance, when CDC grants were canceled during the 2025 Texas measles outbreak—the most severe measles outbreak in 25 years—public health officials in Lubbock, Texas were forced to pause parts of their measles response work supported by the frozen funding. Lubbock’s director of public health further said that a lack of available CDC experts to reach out to for advice “definitely” impacted the department’s response to the measles crisis. Cuts to federal funding also forced Dallas County Health and Human Services to cut staff and cancel 50 community vaccination clinics during the outbreak. Public health work outside of major outbreak responses was also disrupted. For example, in April 2025, the Milwaukee Public Health Department was unexpectedly unable to reach experts on lead poisoning due to firings at the CDC when responding to concerns about lead contamination in Milwaukee public schools. Due to federal workforce cuts, several programs at the CDC, including Alzheimer’s and epilepsy programs, have also become trapped in limbo—existing on paper, but without the staff necessary to operate. More recent crises reveal how federal cuts have weakened the public health infrastructure needed to prevent and respond to dangerous new outbreaks. Internationally, cuts at the U.S. Agency for International Development eliminated funding for disease testing and contact tracing abroad, which delayed detection of and responses to the 2026 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While international outbreaks may seem far removed, the unchecked spread of disease in any country can quickly pose a danger to economic well-being, security and health around the world. Within the United States, public health cuts inhibited responses to the summer 2026 outbreak of the food-borne parasite cyclospora. At the federal level, cuts to funding for lab equipment and for CDC staff with expertise in parasitic infections—including 9 out of 11 staff members at the lab responsible for identifying parasitic outbreaks in 2025— contributed to the largest reporting delay in outbreak cases at the CDC in 15 years. Conflicting communications from the FDA about the source of the outbreak, which followed cuts to the agency’s communications department, additionally led to confusion among the public about how to best avoid infection. At the same time, cuts to HHS funding and support for local and state public health slowed some health departments’ responses to the crisis. The exact costs of these delays, constraints and confusion in public health responses are difficult to estimate. However, their message is clear: federal cuts have already made containing threats to public health even more of a challenge. Conclusion Protecting public health—from food safety to disease prevention—is one of the federal government’s most important missions. Dramatic and haphazard cuts to federal agencies and funding have already disrupted the public health system, impacting the response to challenges such as measles, lead poisoning and cyclosporiasis. The U.S. public health system needed improvement before these disruptions. Since 2022, federal leadership and coordination in response to public health outbreaks has been on the Government Accountability Office’s High-Risk List of areas in need of attention to improve government effectiveness and efficiency. Recent cuts only compound these concerns. The chaotic dismantling of government and resulting disruptions to crucial functions like public health and disease prevention highlight the need for meaningful reform and concrete policy proposals to reimagine how government can better serve the public and be more effective, responsive and accountable. To learn more about the impact of federal cuts to public health and science more broadly, visit The Cost of Cutting American Science. Learn more For more information on the Partnership for Public Service’s government reform initiative, visit Government for a New Era. View here In line with The Cost of Cutting American Science, federal workforce data in this brief is as of February 2026
Springfield Health Department partners with Big Y for free vaccine clinics
The Springfield Department of Health and Human Services and Big Y Pharmacy have partnered this season to offer vaccine clinics for community members.
Three Rivers Health Department reopens
Three Rivers Health Department reopens after tornado damage earlier this year. (Sept. 8, 2026)
TN health department rolls out grants through new rural healthcare program
The Rural Health Transformation Program awards grant money to innovative projects that strengthen healthcare access in remote parts of Tennessee.
Essex County Health Department confirms measles case, says it's been "controlled and contained"
Health officials in Essex County, New York, have confirmed that one unvaccinated person contracted measles earlier this summer. They said there is no ongoing public health risk.
Winchester Health Department to provide School Flu Clinics for students
The following was submitted by the town of Winchester: Parents can register their children for School Flu Clinics now through Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 11:59 p.m.. You may select any open appointment time, but note that appointment times are not the actual time your student will be vaccinated.
Kiwanis learns about health department
SIDNEY — Sidney-Shelby County Health Department Accreditation and Medical Reserve Corps Coordinator Eileen Ferree spoke at a recent Sidney Kiwanis Club meeting.
Forsyth County Health Department Marks '988' Day
Forsyth County Health Department Marks '988' Day
Health Department urges safety and preparation during heat advisory
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services urges residents to stay hydrated, never leave children or pet in cars and limit outdoor activity.
Vernon County Health Department targets vaccine hesitancy with new grant as measles cases emerge nearby
Sept 7, 2026 By TIM HUNDT VIROQUA Wis. – In a bid to combat dropping immunization rates and address a recent public health threat close to home, the Vernon County Board of Supervisors has approved a federal grant to fund a targeted vaccine education campaign. The decision comes as the county’s public health officials spearhead […]
Pittsburgh Plates: Popular Bar Heading West, Health Department Closes Eatery & More
Time to satisfy your appetite for Pittsburgh's latest bar and restaurant news.
14 Danbury eateries cited during July 2026 health inspections
The city’s health department performed 35 inspections in July, leading to one eatery being ordered closed and another forced to stop serving food, according to reports.
Colorado cafe owner defies county officials and court, stays open after failed health inspections
Grand County officials are weighing their options in a legal battle against a contentious cafe owner who continued to serve customers despite failing health departments inspections for more than a year.
Renovated McKeesport public health office to consolidate various services
Allegheny County officials marked the completion of renovations at the Allegheny County Health Department office located at 339 Fifth Avenue in McKeesport.
Campbell County health and food inspections (8/28/26–9/3/26)
GILLETTE, Wyo. — The Consumer Health Services Division of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture conducts inspections of retail food establishments throughout Wyoming (where there is not a local health department that does inspections) to help ensure safety of Wyoming residents. Campbell County establishments are inspected at least once a year by the WDA. All of […]
Natrona County health and food inspections (8/28/26–9/3/26)
CASPER, Wyo. — The Casper-Natrona County Health Department inspects restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, mobile food units, commissaries and
Laramie County health and food inspections (8/28/26–9/3/26)
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department inspects restaurants, bars, convenience stores, delis, grocery stores, bed and breakfasts
PITTMAN CRITICIZES SHAPIRO’S HEALTH DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS PROPOSAL
In a sharply worded criticism, Senator Joe Pittman warns that Governor Josh Shapiro's recently proposed new he...
Health Departments Urge Residents to Know Symptoms of Measles
Finger Lakes health departments share crucial information on measles, urging residents to know symptoms and ensure protection. This highly contagious virus s...
Health Department releases food inspection reports for week of Aug. 23
Scores for the recent Health Department food inspection ranged from 51-100.
Michigan health department's work with nonprofit questioned by audit
The audit found financial status reports for the nonprofit group's work were being approved by staff affiliated with the nonprofit.
Health department shuts down Big Island restaurant due to rats
State health officials have issued the Waikoloa Restaurant & Bar a red placard, shutting it down, due to a rodent infestation.
West Nile cases rises to 5 people, Shelby County Health Department says
The Shelby County Health Department said that the number of patients testing positive for West Nile virus has increased slightly.
Latest Jackson County Health inspections: Garcia's Tacos, The Chicken Shanty, Dolly Varden's Cafe
Restaurants and food carts are inspected at least twice a year by Jackson County Health Department employees. Inspectors look for risk factors that could increase the potential for food-borne illness, […]
First human case of West Nile virus confirmed by Detroit Health Department
Bollin pledges scrutiny of state health department contracts following auditor general report
The Michigan House of Representatives’ top appropriator said she intends to keep an eye on the state’s health department following the release of a report from the Office of the Auditor General looking into a department contractor, with the aim of ensuring that the department is managing public funds responsibly. The auditor general’s most recent […]
Health dept. nurses ask again for investigation into Dr. Nevin
St. Clair County commissioners will revisit a request for a third-party Health Department investigation in October after corporate counsel reviews complaints.