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Trump’s Early Actions Kneecap U.S. Health Agencies

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Trump’s Early Actions Kneecap U.S. Health Agencies

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In his first week back in office, President Donald Trump took drastic actions affecting U.S. health agencies. He began withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing dissatisfaction with its handling of COVID-19, raising fears of setbacks in global disease control.

Domestically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) imposed restrictions halting new contracts, grants, and external communications, disrupting medical research and public health initiatives. A government-wide hiring freeze further hindered operations at agencies like the CDC and NIH, leading to canceled grant reviews and scientific meetings.

Experts warn these measures will have a “chilling effect” on public health efforts, risking increased preventable diseases and stalling biomedical research. Trump’s alignment with Project 2025—a conservative plan to reduce federal health involvement—signals a major shift in U.S. health policy.