National medical, scientific, public health, and patient organizations in infectious diseases, prevention, and epidemiology across the US are calling for Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, to resign as the head of Health and Human Services in the wake of the firing of Susan Monarez, PhD, as CDC Director, and the senior CDC officials who also resigned. Read the entire Joint Statement Calling for Secretary Kennedy Resignation.
The groups argue that Kennedy’s policies have “forced high-level CDC expert leaders to turn their back on decades of sound science,” undermining the nation’s ability to protect public health. They point to sharp reductions in foodborne illness monitoring, limited diagnostic testing capacity, weakened infection surveillance, and the erosion of trusted clinician and patient education resources. The statement warns that these actions leave Americans more vulnerable to outbreaks, chronic disease, and emerging threats.
The signatories stress that the consequences extend far beyond the CDC. Chronic disease prevention programs have been weakened, emergency response capacity diminished, and long-standing progress against HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections has reversed. Vaccine oversight and evidence-based recommendations have been “decimated,” while state and local health departments have lost critical expert guidance. “We are gravely concerned that American people will needlessly suffer and die as a result of policies that turn away from sound interventions,” the groups wrote, insisting that Kennedy resign to restore the credibility and science-driven mission of HHS. They emphasize the urgent need for leadership that promotes evidence-based decision-making, open dialogue, and a commitment to rebuilding the nation’s public health infrastructure.
Key Takeaways for Infection Preventionists
Weakened Surveillance: Reduced infection tracking means less reliable data on circulating pathogens, complicating outbreak detection and timely interventions in hospitals and communities.
Diagnostic Gaps: Limited CDC testing capacity for rare or complex infections could delay patient diagnoses, leaving IPs without critical confirmatory tools.
Vaccine Oversight Risks: With the CDC’s vaccine safety and recommendation capacity diminished, IPs may encounter more patient hesitancy and less clear national guidance to reference.
Strained Local Partnerships: State and local health departments have lost technical support and resources, increasing the burden on hospital-based IP programs to fill critical gaps.
Emergency Response Weakness: Reduced federal leadership could leave frontline IPs with fewer resources during emerging infectious disease events or biothreats.
Comments on the Association for Infection Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology’s (APIC’s) LinkedIn page echo this sentiment, “Thank you for amplifying our voice!” Dorine Berriel-Cass, MA, BSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC wrote. Karen Jones, MPH; Geeta Sood, MD, ScM; Heather Stoltzfus, MPH, RN, CIC, all wrote “Thank you, APIC!”
In addition to over 1000 current and previous HHS employees, the Governor of Hawai’i, Josh Green, MD, previously an emergency room doctor and family physician for over 20 years, is also calling for Kennedy’s resignation. “As a father, a physician, and a governor, it is my responsibility to protect every community in my state—especially the most vulnerable—from threats to their health and safety, and to advocate for the public health of the entire country.
"That is why I am making an appeal to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to resign as Secretary of Health and Human Services," the governor continued. "Mr. Kennedy’s actions as our country’s chief public health officer are not just irresponsible and misguided; they are dangerous. I urge him to step aside now before more damage is done to our health care system, more lives are put at risk and more American children die as a result of his policies.”
The health organizations' statement concludes with, "We are gravely concerned that American people will needlessly suffer and die as a result of policies that turn away from sound interventions. After careful consideration, we insist on Kennedy’s resignation to restore the integrity, credibility, and science-driven mission of HHS and all its agencies. Our country needs leadership that will promote open, honest dialogue, not disregard decades of lifesaving science, spread misinformation, reverse medical progress, and decimate programs that keep us safe. We are speaking out because protecting public health is our responsibility as physicians, scientists, and patient advocates. It is also the responsibility of our elected officials, and we call for their support at this critical moment to protect the health of the nation. It is time to reverse course and begin rebuilding the public health infrastructure overseen by CDC. Kennedy has proven himself unwilling and ill-prepared to lead that effort.”
[Signed]
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
American Academy of HIV Medicine
American Association of Immunologists
American Public Health Association
American Society for Microbiology
American Society for Virology
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)
AVAC
Camenzind Solutions LLC
Fast-Track Cities Institute
HIV Medicine Association
ID Care
Infectious Diseases Society of America
International Association of Providers of AIDS Care
NTM Info & Research
Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society
Peggy Lillis Foundation
Seattle Children’s Research Institute
Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America
Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP)
Stop TB USA
Treatment Action Group
