Budget cuts and structural changes within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are allegedly hampering infection control, prevention, and disease tracking initiatives. A program significantly affected by these changes is the ‘Together TakeMeHome’ initiative by Emory University in Atlanta, which is primarily funded by the CDC and provides complimentary HIV self-tests. However, the CDC has indicated that it will discontinue its funding for this program beyond the current grant year ending on September 29.
According to the university, staffing shortfalls at the CDC led to this decision. ‘Together TakeMeHome’, initiated in 2023, aimed to enhance the accessibility of HIV testing across the U.S., including Puerto Rico. Since program inception, nearly 7,000 people have discovered their HIV positive status and can take responsive measures to manage their health. Emory estimates that roughly 500 fresh HIV infections were successfully avoided due to the program, conserving nearly $200 million in treatment expenses.
The recent cessation of funding for Emory’s program following the announcement by the Health and Human Services (HHS) department of a large-scale overhaul of the agency, including laying off 10,000 full-time employees and compressing HHS from 28 to 15 divisions. Finally, both the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the CDC’s own Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee have seen a significant reduction in staff impacting their ability to perform vital services in infection prevention across healthcare and other sectors.