The CDC is facing a significant leadership crisis under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with 80% of top director positions vacant and critical areas like infectious disease response and cancer screening suffering from lack of guidance. Productivity has reportedly slowed due to bureaucratic delays, exacerbated by mass resignations and firings, including that of key directors who protested against Kennedy’s politicized approach to public health. As Trump nominates new leaders to address this vacuum, concerns mount that the agency lacks the necessary experience and decisiveness to handle potential health crises. Meanwhile, internal morale is low, with staff feeling demoralized as they navigate a paralyzed organizational structure.
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Link to original article source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/17/cdc-rfk-jr-leadership-positions-empty
