A team of federal officials dedicated to addressing the impact of climate change on public health was disbanded on Tuesday, following a comprehensive restructuring initiated by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The layoff affected over a dozen staff members involved in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s climate health program, which was one segment of the broader Division of Environmental Health and Science Practice at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This division employed hundreds who focused on various public health issues, including asthma management and lead poisoning prevention— all now facing cuts. "This team has performed outstanding work and received exceptional performance reviews, yet they are no longer available to support health efforts in communities like Flint, Michigan," stated Paul Schramm, the former lead of the climate program, who was also placed on administrative leave on the same day.

"There's no one left in federal government to address these issues." The climate health unit had allocated over $4 million in grants to assist local and state officials in tackling challenges related to climate change and its health implications. Schramm emphasized that the absence of this funding leaves many communities exposed, especially at a time when health departments nationwide are already grappling with severe staffing shortages and budget constraints.

Schramm, who has been with the CDC for 16 years, expressed concern about the implications of these cuts. He shared his thoughts with Bloomberg News regarding the impact of the program's termination on affected communities. HHS did not provide a response to inquiries about the changes. Edited Interview Highlights: How did you learn about the layoffs?: I woke up early, as many have been struggling to sleep during this period.

Around 6 a.m., I received a text from a team member about their layoff notice. Soon after, I confirmed my own status through email, which revealed that our entire climate health program was being terminated. I later learned that the entire division was affected. What was the climate health program's role, and what will happen now?: With the cessation of our program, communities and health departments will no longer receive vital funding to assist in managing issues like heatwaves, floods, wildfires, and droughts. Many states lack their own resources to develop plans to combat these dangers or to establish cooling centers during extreme heat events. Our program provided the necessary frameworks and support for these initiatives. What ongoing initiatives may be left unfinished?: Currently, there is no federal system for monitoring pollen levels; however, some private systems exist. We were in the process of establishing data use agreements to make this pollen data publicly accessible, benefiting both allergy sufferers and researchers. Our efforts were about to be launched on our platforms, but it seems unlikely they will move forward now. What's the connection between pollen data and climate change?: Research indicates that rising pollen levels and earlier allergy seasons are linked to climate factors like temperature and precipitation. Many regions are experiencing unprecedented pollen counts; for instance, Atlanta recently recorded its highest and second-highest pollen levels in consecutive days. Having access to this information is vital for researchers working to safeguard public health and adjust treatments according to shifting pollen seasons—information that our program could have provided, but will now be unavailable. How do you feel about these developments?: At the moment, I feel primarily sadness and disappointment. I've had the privilege of working alongside numerous dedicated individuals at the CDC, local health departments, and non-profits who recognize the considerable impact of climate change on health. We have the data and evidence showing thousands die from heat-related issues each year, with over 100,000 seeking emergency care for heat-related illnesses. My motivation has always stemmed from the extensive network of professionals engaged in addressing these challenges.
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