It’s All About the People: Leadership in Public Health

Key Takeaways

• Over 2,000 CDC staff received reduction‑in‑force notices in April 2025
• Lubar calls for rebuilding trust and protecting the public health workforce
• Action steps include advocacy, mentorship, and supporting CDC Mutual Aid Network
• Milbank’s Voices series amplifies frontline public health experiences and ideas
• Leadership must focus on people, not just organizational reform, to sustain agencies

Pulse Analysis

The CDC’s recent reduction‑in‑force wave, which saw more than 2,000 employees dismissed, has sent shockwaves through the nation’s public health infrastructure. Beyond the immediate loss of expertise, the layoffs have eroded morale, sparked uncertainty among remaining staff, and raised questions about the agency’s capacity to respond swiftly to emerging threats. Analysts note that such workforce disruptions can delay critical surveillance, hinder rapid vaccine deployment, and weaken coordination with state and local health departments, ultimately compromising the United States’ health security posture.

In her candid reflection, former COO Dr. Debra Lubar emphasizes that rebuilding a resilient public health system hinges on people, not just policies. Drawing on two decades of federal service, she argues that trust, workforce protection, and acknowledgment of human relationships are foundational to any lasting reform. Lubar’s perspective aligns with a growing consensus that leadership must prioritize employee well‑being, transparent communication, and inclusive decision‑making to restore confidence among scientists, clinicians, and the communities they serve.

Lubar’s call to action extends beyond rhetoric, offering concrete steps such as advocacy through groups like Stand Up for Science, mentorship via APHA’s Mentor Match, and financial support for the CDC Mutual Aid Network. These initiatives aim to replenish the talent pipeline, safeguard existing staff, and reinforce the agency’s independence. Policymakers and private donors are urged to lift hiring freezes, reinstate RIFed positions, and allocate sustained funding for public health research and prevention, ensuring the nation is better equipped for the next pandemic.