Science Friday The Department Of Health And Human Services Cuts 10,000 Jobs
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Apr 4, 2025 Umair Irfan, senior correspondent at Vox, joins to discuss the shocking layoffs of 10,000 federal health workers that impact crucial health agencies like the FDA and CDC. The conversation dives into the potential fallout on public health initiatives and medical research. Irfan also highlights exciting advancements, like a tiny pacemaker injected through a needle, and explores groundbreaking studies on air pollution's effect on climate. Plus, find out about the fascinating science behind growing miso in space and the surprising role of sea turtle tears.
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Mass Layoffs at Health Agencies
- Thousands of federal health workers were laid off on April 1st, impacting agencies like the FDA, CDC, and NIH.
- This was part of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s plan to cut jobs at these agencies.
Senior Staff Targeted in Layoffs
- Senior staff and agency heads were among those laid off, including leaders at NIAID, FDA, and NIH.
- This suggests a targeted approach rather than general downsizing.
Impact of Layoffs on Medical Research
- These layoffs impacted ongoing medical research, disease surveillance, and funding for research institutions.
- It has caused a ripple effect, affecting the training and hiring of scientists across different sectors.