Confusion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Amidst the pursuit of certainty at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), confusion reigns in one corner of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). This division plays a crucial role in informing public health policies on a wide range of topics, including food, oral health, and environmental exposures. One of its most prominent functions is conducting research using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which provides valuable data for decision-making in the health sector. However, the future of NCHS is now uncertain following a series of layoffs that have impacted key personnel responsible for carrying out vital research.
On October 10th, approximately 1,300 employees at NCHS received layoff notices, causing upheaval within the organization. While nearly 600 of these job cuts were later reversed, the individuals working in the planning branch of the division were not among those reinstated. As a result, they have been unable to access their work email accounts, leaving them in a state of limbo regarding their employment status.
Denys Lau, a former director at NCHS, expressed concern about the impact of these layoffs on both the affected employees and the broader NCHS staff. He emphasized the long-term consequences of losing experienced personnel, stating that it could take years to rebuild the damage caused by these abrupt job cuts.
Uncertain Future of NCHS
The confusion surrounding the layoffs at NCHS has raised questions about the future of the organization and its ability to fulfill its mandate. Despite initial assurances from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that planning jobs were not eliminated, multiple sources have confirmed that individuals in these roles did receive layoff notices. This discrepancy has added to the sense of uncertainty among NCHS employees and has hindered the agency’s ability to function effectively.
Richard Danker, a spokesperson for HHS, cited a recent court order as the reason for halting further reductions in force at NCHS. However, the lack of clarity surrounding the number of layoffs and rescissions that have already occurred has left many employees in a state of limbo.
Former leaders at NCHS have estimated that around 100 jobs were terminated, including key positions in vital statistics, epidemiology, and healthcare statistics divisions. The loss of these experienced professionals has created a void within NCHS that may be challenging to fill in the future.
The Role of NCHS
While NHANES is a cornerstone of NCHS’s work, the agency is involved in a wide range of activities that go beyond data collection. Planning branches within NCHS handle essential tasks such as budgeting, contract management, IT infrastructure, and data security. These behind-the-scenes functions are crucial for the smooth operation of NCHS’s research activities and the dissemination of public health information.
Jennifer Schoendorf, a former NCHS director, highlighted the importance of these planning roles in ensuring the integrity and reliability of health data collected by the agency. The loss of experienced staff in these critical areas could have far-reaching implications for NCHS’s ability to fulfill its mission effectively.
Impact of Job Cuts
The government shutdown and subsequent furloughs have compounded the challenges posed by the layoffs at NCHS. Schoendorf emphasized that the absence of key personnel could have a debilitating effect on the agency’s operations, especially in terms of data collection and analysis. The long-term consequences of these job cuts may hinder NCHS’s ability to provide accurate and timely information for public health decision-making.
Furthermore, the nonpartisan nature of NCHS’s work is at risk if experienced staff are not retained. Lau emphasized the importance of maintaining objectivity in data collection and analysis, warning that political interference could compromise the scientific validity of NCHS’s findings.
As NCHS grapples with the aftermath of the layoffs, the future of the agency remains uncertain. The temporary restraining order on further reductions in force may provide some reprieve, but the lingering effects of the job cuts are likely to be felt for years to come.
STAT’s coverage of chronic health issues is supported by a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. Our financial supporters are not involved in any decisions about our journalism.
