The Trump administration’s new global health strategy, released last month, lists its most important goal as outbreak prevention and response, both to protect Americans and to safeguard the economy.
Containing the Ebola outbreak in West Africa a decade ago cost the United States $5.4 billion globally and more than $70 million domestically, the strategy report notes, adding, “As we have unfortunately seen all too frequently, an outbreak anywhere in the world can quickly become a threat to Americans.”
Yet, the freeze on America’s foreign aid in January disrupted many programs that extinguished outbreaks. Citing “waste, fraud and abuse” at federal agencies, the administration also laid off thousands of scientists, including many who worked on preventing and containing infectious diseases.
Since the spring, the administration has restored some programs and rehired some scientists. And on Saturday, it rescinded the layoffs of hundreds of infectious disease experts fired in error just a day earlier.
But many others placed on administrative leave are still awaiting word on their next career steps.
The Department of Health and Human Services “has preserved the expertise necessary for pandemic preparedness, and our agency remains committed to infectious disease research, surveillance and response,” a spokesman said.
“We continue to support this critical public health priority through ongoing monitoring, vaccine development and partnerships at home and abroad,” he added.
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The post They Fought Outbreaks Worldwide. Now They’re Fighting for New Lives. appeared first on New York Times.
