Since President Donald Trump took office in January, Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency has started dismantling vital federal agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Food and Drug Administration. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — who has a history of spreading anti-vaccine conspiracy theories— is the secretary of Health and Human Services, which oversees 11 operating divisions, including the CDC, the FDA and the National Institutes of Health.
The public isn’t receiving the same level of food recall alerts and timely information on disease outbreaks. If a staffing shortage means no one is available to respond to a health issue, then what should people do? When misinformation circulates and we can’t trust our government institutions to be transparent, how do we navigate our health?
“Being informed is a radical act of self-care right now,” said Cynthia Plotch, a reproductive justice advocate and founder ofWinx Health. “Misinformation is rampant and further being amplified to exhaust us and overwhelm us. By staying educated on the issues and actions that matter to you, you’re not only advocating and protecting your own health but participating in a form of resistance. Knowledge is power and helps make empowered decisions for your health. This is not just a form of protection, but a radical act to stand up for your rights and wellbeing.”
We talked to four health experts to find out how they’re getting their information, and how we can use their strategies in our daily lives.
Here’s what’s been cut so far
So far, overhauls by Trump and DOGE have led to the layoffs of about5,200 CDC employees. The CDC announced it will no longer process data about transgender identity, and it will no longer fund theGlobal Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network, aka Gremlin. According toBloomberg, Gremlin is “a grouping of more than 700 international labs that test about 500,000 patient samples annually” and monitors the prevalence of pathogens like COVID-19, RSV, dengue, yellow fever and Ebola. In other bad news, the FDAcanceled its annual meeting to select the flu strains for next year’s flu shot, and the United States has pulled out of the World Health Organization.
As of early March, more than 100 people in Texas hadmeasles, and an unvaccinated child had died. New Mexico and New Jersey have also experienced measles outbreaks.
Local public health officials and health care providers remain trustworthy sources of information about vaccines. Anna Efetova via Getty Images
Where health experts are turning for information
“Honestly, I’m pessimistic,” said David Williams, president of Health Business Group. “I don’t think the traditional approaches of requiring vaccination for school and work will be accepted in today’s political environment. In fact, such requirements are likely to be reversed and we will even see state laws stating that mandates cannot be implemented at the local level.”
Local public health officials and health care providers remain trustworthy, he added.
“Individual family physicians, nurse practitioners and pediatricians are also influential with their patients, regardless of political leanings,” Williams said. “Public health officials communicate through local resources like town newsletters, local TV, radio and print media, and their own social media accounts. Individual providers communicate through one-on-one visits and are backed up by local community health centers and hospitals.”
Lack of women’s health information has become an issue, too.
“Access to sexual education and reproductive rights are being wiped from government health websites, exacerbating the problems that stem from the country’s lack of sex education,” Plotch said. “Fifty percent of women [who live in states with abortion bans] think emergency contraception isillegal, and even more —75% — believe it’s the same as the medical abortion pill. It’s not! Access to free information to combat common misconceptions and empower women to make informed decisions over their own health is more critical than ever.”
She recommended reading free women’s health articles onReal Talk and following writer Jessica Valenti.
Katie Diasti, a menstrual educator and founder of Viv for Your V, acknowledged how essential government agencies are to women.
“Health reports, like that from the NIH this summer that revealedtoxic metals in tampons, allow users to make informed health decisions and hold brands and manufacturers accountable,” Diasti said. “As government resources are slashed, especially in women’s health, some might take it as an opportunity to cut corners. It’s critical to find products and routines you trust with trusted materials, transparent reporting, and that help uplift your wellbeing. Be vigilant in reading product descriptions. Look for transparent materials and ingredients.”
In just a couple of months, the government’s actions have already done great harm to the public’s trust.
Praxis Pacisci CEO Stacey B. Lee, a professor of health care law at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, studies how policy decisions impact public health.
“What we’re seeing right now is deeply concerning — not just because of who’s in charge but also because of the long-term consequences of weakening public health infrastructure,” Lee said. “RFK’s past rhetoric has already emboldened anti-science movements. His leadership may translate that into actual policy.”
Lee has been doing a lot to keep her family safe. She keeps a health preparation checklist based on emerging disease risks from the WHO, CDC and John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and subscribes to real-life health alerts from Consumer Reports and University Extension Services.
The best we can do is stay informed and not follow people who spread misinformation, especially from politicians. Trust local public health officials and global organizations like WHO, and stay on top of vaccines.
“This moment isn’t just about RFK Jr. or the CDC cuts,” Lee said. “It’s about whether we allow science-based health policy to be systematically dismantled. If this administration continues prioritizing ideology over research, we will see rising disease outbreaks, eroding health care trust, and disproportionate harm to vulnerable communities. When federal health leadership falters, we need to build resilience at every other level, from our personal choices to our community engagement. This isn’t just about surviving the current administration’s health policies. It’s about preserving the infrastructure of public health for generations to come.”
