In a recent newsletter reporting on job cuts in US health agency divisions, we asked readers of The Pathologist, “How might cuts to disease surveillance programs affect a nation’s health?”
Here is a selection of the responses.
It will take years to right the ship
“We all know the answer to your question. Such cuts will severely damage our ability to protect the health of our country. However, there is much more to this than the cuts in funding and jobs at HHS, NIH, and so on. There are completely incompetent people taking over control of these departments, and in addition to their incompetence, they are creating false information, data, and narratives that further add to our inability to protect the nation’s health.
It will take years to right the ship and begin to repair the damage that will be caused. We are beyond trying to understand why a small majority of Americans voted for this administration. The only hope now is that they will wake up quickly as they suffer for making a ridiculous choice. Unfortunately, we all must suffer.”
Brian R. Curtis, Senior Lab Director, Milwaukee
Local Government and academic centers should pick up the slack
“It seems to me that big states (California, New York, Illinois) and Universities can substitute, at least in part, for these job losses by creating centers or departments to house the laid off researchers. I have written emails to Governors and university Presidents, but with no response to date.
In addition, the private sector can support individual researcher salaries to allow them to continue their work, at least to some extent. We invite sponsors and researchers who would be interested in participating to get in touch: Nat@PathologyOutlines.com.”
Nat Pernick, Founder and Owner, PathologyOutlines.com
Our nation will be unable to prepare for future health threats
“As a medical laboratory scientist, I can't say that I am familiar with the process of surveilling diseases, but I do know that understanding the pathways that lead to disease are imperative to both preventing and finding ways to treat said diseases. Without scientists to perform these important tasks, our nation will be unable to prepare for the unknown and will thus fail to protect the future health of its citizens.
With the route our country is taking and the cuts that have been approved by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., I am shocked and fearful for the regression of the health of our country. I can't see how any cuts to healthcare can be beneficial.
The advancement of medicine throughout history is a mark of progress for humanity! These cuts are short sighted and the Trump administration will have to learn the hard way – as it has with the resurgence of measles. I find these decisions disheartening and frankly, stupid. I don't know what else to say.”
Allie Characky, Night Shift Lead – Clinical Laboratory, University of Colorado Hospital
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