A survey of 624 current and former CDC workers found that 95% believe recent changes at the agency will cost American lives.
Researchers from Lansing-based Michigan State University anonymously surveyed 624 CDC workers between February and April who either currently work at the agency (433) or left since Inauguration Day (191). They represent an estimated 5% of the CDC workforce.
Separate surveys have found that trust in the CDC among U.S. adults has declined. One survey found the share of respondents who said they trust the agency’s health recommendations fell from 77% to 50% over the past year. Another poll found public trust in the CDC reached its lowest level since the pandemic following changes to the agency’s vaccine advisory committee and childhood immunization recommendations.
Five things to know:
1. Nearly all respondents (99%) said changes under the current administration have reduced the CDC’s capacity to respond to a pandemic or public health emergency, according to a report on the survey published in May.
2. Nearly 7 in 10 of survey respondents still employed by the CDC have taken a concrete step toward leaving since Inauguration Day, including applying for a new job. Among those who left the CDC since Inauguration Day, 95% said they departed mostly or entirely because of changes implemented by the administration.
3. Nearly all respondents (99%) said recent changes have lowered morale and made it harder to do their jobs. Additionally, 83% reported experiencing burnout and 94% said recent changes have made their jobs more stressful.
4. Half of respondents had worked at the CDC for more than a decade. Thirty-three percent had worked there for 11 to 20 years and 27% for six to 10 years. About half were scientists, and more than half worked in infectious disease (33%) or chronic disease and injury prevention (23%).
5. Roughly the same share of respondents who left the CDC did so because their role was terminated (33%) or because they resigned (34%). Thirteen percent retired.
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