On Thursday night, researchers and public health workers supported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were caught off guard when they received an urgent email containing a 10-page questionnaire titled “Foreign Assistance Review.” This survey, obtained by STAT, was a response to an Office of Management and Budget directive aimed at complying with President Donald Trump’s executive order to reassess how the country handles foreign aid.
The email, marked “URGENT,” instructed recipients to detail their federally funded projects and rate how well they contribute to national interests. However, many of the recipients were puzzled because they do not work abroad. This created immediate chaos at universities and public health organizations, with conflicting information about when to complete the survey adding to the confusion.
The emails, sent from the CDC’s Global Health Center, gave a deadline of 8 a.m. on Saturday, while the body of the survey itself listed a deadline of 11:59 p.m. on Friday. Researchers expressed frustration at the lack of time to provide well-thought-out responses, as the short notice did not allow for thorough consideration of the questions.
The distribution of this survey raised questions about the need for clarity and communication within the agencies responsible for managing federal projects. With researchers and public health workers already facing numerous challenges in their field, the added pressure of completing a last-minute survey only added to their workload and stress.
Moving forward, it is crucial for agencies like the CDC to ensure that communication about surveys and directives is clear, timely, and relevant to the recipients. This will not only streamline the process for researchers and public health workers but also ensure that valuable information is accurately collected and reported.
In conclusion, the unexpected distribution of the “Foreign Assistance Review” survey highlights the importance of effective communication and planning within government agencies. By addressing these issues, agencies can better support the important work being done by researchers and public health workers across the country.
