Before appointing Dr. Robert Redfield as the head of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Trump fired CDC Director, Dr. Tom Frieden. With this decision, many have begun to wonder what would happen if Trump were to fire Frieden? What would the consequences be? And most importantly, how would it affect public health? In an attempt to answer these questions, I will discuss some potential scenarios if President Trump were to fire Frieden and appoint another director in his place.
How things work
Frieden has been an outspoken critic of the Trump administration, calling their approach to the Zika virus dangerous and criticizing their proposed cuts to the CDC's budget. If Trump were to fire Frieden, it would send a clear message that he is not interested in scientific advice or evidence-based policymaking. This could have devastating consequences for the CDC, which would likely see its budget slashed even further and its staff morale plummet. The agency would also be without a strong leader at a time when it is needed most, with several major public health crises currently unfolding.
How many staff members would be lost
Frieden is a respected doctor and public health leader, and his firing would no doubt lead to the loss of many talented staff members at the CDC. This could in turn lead to a decrease in the quality of care and increase in the spread of disease. Additionally, it would be difficult to attract new staff to the CDC with such instability at the top. Trump firing Frieden could potentially have serious consequences for public health.
What roles in state governments could be affected
Frieden's firing could have a ripple effect throughout state governments. States rely on the CDC for guidance on how to handle public health crises, so if the agency is without a leader, it could cause confusion and hamper their ability to respond effectively. Additionally, many states have epidemiologists who work closely with the CDC on outbreak investigations and disease control efforts; without direction from the CDC, these state-level workers would be left to their own devices. In terms of specific programs that could be affected, the CDC's immunization program could suffer without Frieden at the helm. The agency also plays a critical role in food safety and inspection, so any cuts to its budget could put consumers at risk.
What roles at local health departments could be affected
If Trump were to fire Dr. Frieden, many roles at local health departments could be affected. For example, the CDC provides guidance and resources to local health departments on how to best protect their communities from public health threats. Without the CDC, local health departments would have to rely on their own resources and knowledge to keep their communities safe. This could lead to outbreaks of disease or other public health emergencies going unnoticed or unaddressed. In addition, the CDC is responsible for investigating outbreaks of disease and providing information to the public about how to protect themselves. Without the CDC, these investigations would either not happen or would be carried out by less experienced staff, which could put the public at risk.
How this decision could change public health funding
Trump firing CDC Director Frieden could have a number of consequences for public health funding. First, it could lead to a decrease in funding for the CDC overall. This could mean less money for important programs and research, which could in turn have a negative impact on public health. Second, it could also lead to an increase in partisan politics when it comes to public health issues. This could make it difficult to find consensus on important issues, and make it harder to get funding for necessary programs and research. Third, it could also lead to increased pressure on state and local governments to pick up the slack when it comes to public health funding. This could lead to some states not being able to adequately fund their own public health programs, which would have negative consequences for the residents of those states.
How this decision might affect certain areas of research
Trump firing CDC Director Frieden could have a number of consequences for research and public health. First, it could hamper the CDC's ability to respond to outbreaks and manage disease control programs. Second, it could lead to a loss of funding for the agency, as Congress may be less likely to appropriate money for an agency that lacks leadership. Third, it could cause a brain drain at the CDC, as experienced staff members may leave the agency in search of stability. Fourth, it could damage the CDC's relationship with state and local health departments. Fifth, it could jeopardize the CDC's accreditation by the Public Health Accreditation Board. Sixth, it could make it more difficult for the CDC to collaborate with other federal agencies.