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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/)

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.