FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Media Relations
Contact: For Our Health Media Relations
Every American should be outraged and alarmed by actions taken by the Trump administration that deliberately undermine America's health protection system, including HHS, CDC and the NIH. By gutting essential health staff, hiding vital public health data, and silencing health experts, these actions have left every American family more vulnerable to deadly disease outbreaks, unsafe food and water, and preventable deaths.
These actions couldn't come at a more dangerous time. Our nation faces mounting public health threats, including the growing risk of avian influenza, the highest rates of flu in a decade, and the resurgence of vaccine-preventable disease. When our health watchdogs can't track outbreaks or warn doctors and the public about health risks, the safety of every American is compromised.
This is also not just an attack on federal institutions – it's a direct attack on every parent trying to protect their child from disease, every worker relying on public health safeguards and every family depending on rapid responses to outbreaks and emergencies.
The consequences are immediate and life-threatening:
- Without CDC’s disease tracking and response capabilities, pregnant mothers and young children face increased exposure to deadly outbreaks.;
- The weakening of vaccination programs threatens the return of diseases we once conquered, like measles and polio.;
- With America’s disease surveillance systems crippled, new infectious diseases will spread unchecked across our borders before we even know they're here.
- Without NIH-funded research, patients with rare diseases will lose hope for new treatments, especially children with genetic disorders who depend on potential breakthroughs.;
- Cancer patients will miss out on clinical trials of promising new therapies that could extend their lives, particularly for aggressive or treatment-resistant cancers.;
People with Alzheimer's and their families will lose the chance for early detection and treatment as research into biomarkers and interventions is paused.
The actions by the Trump administration do not “Make America Healthy Again”. Instead, they weaken our defenses against deadly threats, leaving us sicker, more vulnerable and less prepared when the next crisis strikes. America's strength and prosperity depends on protecting our people's health and anticipating the next disease treatment and cures through groundbreaking research.
We've seen the devastating cost of ignoring public health expertise: delays in service and emergency response resulting in needless deaths, suffering and economic devastation. We demand that the Trump administration immediately restore funding and staffing to strengthen and not destroy our nation's health protection systems; and we call on all policymakers — regardless of political party — to stand up for the health and security of our nation. The lives of all Americans depend on it.
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APHA is fighting back against threats to public health. See what we’re doing.
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Operating as an initiative of the American Public Health Association, For Our Health brings together prominent experts and former leaders in public health, health care, health sciences and social services to speak in support of public health and against policies that undermine evidence-based health initiatives, weaken scientific institutions and endanger public health protections. Learn more at www.forourhealth.org.
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The American Public Health Association champions optimal, equitable health and well-being for all. With our broad-based member community and 150-year perspective, we influence federal policy to improve the public’s health. Learn more at www.apha.org.