The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has recently embarked on a major restructuring, leading to the dismissal of approximately 10,000 employees across various agencies, according to reports from AFP. This shift aims to prioritize the prevention of chronic diseases.
Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. explained that the department seeks to realign itself with its core mission, which involves addressing long-term health challenges like chronic disease epidemics. The restructuring has significantly impacted key agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
In addition to layoffs, senior officials have been reassigned to remote locations, while former FDA Commissioner Robert Califf raised concerns about the loss of institutional knowledge and leadership. The move occurs against the backdrop of persistent health crises, such as a measles outbreak and the looming threat of avian influenza.
The restructuring is expected to save $1.8 billion annually, consolidating the department’s 28 divisions into 15 and establishing a new entity called the Administration for a Healthy America.