The notice and rapid turnabout regarding vital public health grants is the latest confusion for public health officials over major federal dollars. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been deeply critical of the nation’s public health infrastructure and has purged thousands of federal workers during his tenure. More than 100 health departments, as well as three national public health groups, receive funding through the public health infrastructure grant period that started in late 2022. As of late December, the health departments have received roughly $4.7 billion and the public health partners have received roughly $382 million, according to the CDC’s website. “It’s the infrastructure for the public health system,” said Georges Benjamin, the executive director of the American Public Health Association.

Source: Washington Post January 25, 2026 21:23 UTC