It’s been a whirlwind week in public health. In this episode, host Steven Newmark breaks down a string of major developments coming out of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). From mass layoffs across HHS, including at the FDA, to the resignation of the country’s top vaccine regulator, these changes raise serious concerns—especially amid a rising measles outbreak.

Tune in to hear what this means for patients, public health efforts, and the fight against vaccine hesitancy.

Among the highlights in this episode:

00:50: Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF, discusses HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s announcement of 10,000 staff layoffs, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) being the most impacted

01:31: Steven reflects on RFK Jr.'s earlier warning to FDA workers to "pack their bags" and discusses concerns about maintaining service levels with a 25% workforce cut

02:08: Quoting Robert Califf, Steven shares the demoralization felt by former and current HHS staff, calling out the treatment of hardworking public health employees

02:38: Steven shares concerns from Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, former Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) head, particularly around the likely impact of layoffs on already underfunded nursing home inspections

03:20: Steven reports the forced resignation of Dr. Peter Marks, the FDA’s top vaccine regulator, and the alarming response from the public health community

04:06: Steven details Dr. Marks’ warnings about leadership skepticism toward vaccines, especially in light of the growing measles outbreak

04:34: Steven gives an update on the measles outbreak in Texas and other states, citing more than 500 cases nationwide and highlighting RFK Jr.'s unscientific treatment suggestions like vitamin A and cod liver oil

05:16: Steven discusses how HHS cuts are hampering efforts to track infectious diseases and fund vaccine research, even as the outbreak fuels a shift toward pro-vaccine sentiment in affected areas

05:49: Steven urges listeners to get vaccinated and ensure those around them—especially children—are protected with the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine

Contact Our Host

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

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