The first week of President Donald Trump’s second term brought major shake-ups to federal health agencies, leaving many people wondering what’s next. From paused communications to halted travel and changes in global partnerships, there’s a lot to unpack. Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to follow and understand.
A Pause on Communication
Imagine hitting the “pause” button on nearly all public announcements. That’s exactly what happened at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The new administration told health agencies like the CDC, FDA, and NIH to halt non-emergency external communications.
While this might sound alarming, an HHS official described it as a short-term move to help the new team set priorities. In their words, “This is a short pause to allow the new team to set up a process for review and prioritization.”
But the ripple effects are already being felt. The CDC, for instance, didn’t release its long-standing Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)—a publication it calls its “voice” for public health insights. Staffers are now waiting for further guidance before moving forward with their usual scientific publications.
Travel? Not Right Now
If you’re part of HHS, pack your bags…or rather, unpack them. All employee travel has been put on hold, effective immediately. Even speaking engagements booked before January 20th were canceled.
This means no conferences, no public health collaborations, and no travel until the administration gives the green light. For now, it’s a waiting game.
Work with WHO Halted
Here’s a big one: all projects involving the World Health Organization (WHO) have been stopped. This follows an executive order signed by Trump to withdraw the U.S. from the WHO.
The order cited concerns about how the organization handled the COVID-19 pandemic and accused it of being influenced by political forces. Trump described the move as necessary to stop the U.S. from “being ripped off.”
What’s Next?
While these changes might feel like a whirlwind, officials are emphasizing that they’re temporary—at least for now. However, if these policies stretch on for weeks or start to disrupt regular operations, there could be bigger concerns ahead.
For now, it’s a time of adjustment and uncertainty. Let’s hope for clear direction soon, as health agencies play a critical role in keeping us informed and prepared for whatever comes next.
