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Washington Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Washington Post
Takeaways from AP's report on how federal public health cuts are affecting communities across the US
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Americans are losing a vast array of people and programs dedicated to keeping them healthy. State and local health departments responsible for invisible but critical work including inspecting restaurants, monitoring wastewater for harmful germs, responding to outbreaks and other tasks to protect both individuals and communities are being hollowed out. The Trump administration is cutting health spending on an unprecedented scale, experts say. It's pulled $11 billion of direct federal support and eliminated 20,000 jobs at at national health agencies that in part support local public health work. It's proposing billions more be slashed. Public health leaders said the cuts are reducing the entire system to a shadow of what it once was and threatening to undermine even routine work – even as the nation faces threats from diseases like measles, whooping cough and bird flu. The moves reflect a shift away from the very idea of public health: doing the work that no individual can do alone to safeguard the population as a whole. Here are some takeaways from The Associated Press examination of how federal cuts to public health are affecting communities and people across the United States. Prevention work is low key. It's impossible to identify who was saved because, if it goes well, the person never knows when they've fended off a mortal threat with the invisible shield of public health. The health department in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, for example, has run a mobile clinic that it brings to high schools to ensure students are up-to-date on shots for diseases like measles and polio. Those shots help both the student and the wider community stay healthy — if enough people are vaccinated. U.S. health departments run programs to reduce suicides and drug overdoses, improve prenatal health and help people stop smoking. They educate people about health and test for and treat diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis. Some, including Mecklenburg, operate medical and dental clinics too. The work departments do is also cost effective, experts have found. For every dollar spent on childhood immunizations , the country is estimated to save $11; on tobacco cessation , $2-$3; on asthma control , $70. State and local health departments depend on federal money and support. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sends about 80 percent of its budget to states and local communities and helps those departments with its expertise and other resources. When the Trump administration pulled $11 billion from state and local health departments without warning in March, then laid off thousands of people at CDC a week later, public health leaders said the cuts delivered a serious blow to communities across the country. All eight employees dedicated to the mobile vaccine program in Mecklenburg were laid off. Nine disease intervention specialists in Columbus, Ohio, were let go as the department prepared to address a measles outbreak. Nashville had to end a program offering free flu and COVID tests. Meanwhile, tobacco hotlines, early intervention programs for children who are deaf or hard of hearing, and programs to prevent drowning are all being affected in states and communities because CDC teams were laid off. A spokesman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said HHS is reorganizing what he said were 'broken systems' and rejected 'the implication that HHS has turned its back on urgent health threats.' HHS justified the grant cancellations by saying the money was for COVID and the pandemic is over. But most of the cuts were in areas that are especially important given today's health threats, including epidemiology and laboratory capacity as well as immunizations. Connecticut's state health commissioner told a Democratic congressional hearing the current uncertainty 'puts lives at risk.' The new cuts are especially damaging because health departments are funded differently than other government agencies meant to protect the public: Funding pours in during emergencies and slows to a relative trickle when they subside. Public health leaders often cite the contrast with fire departments, which are kept ready at all times, not scrambling to find firefighters and fire trucks when houses are already burning. A temporary surge of money during the pandemic allowed some health departments to expand and strengthen programs. But by early this year, most of that money had disappeared, along with other COVID-era grants across the nation — some because they ended and some because the government rescinded them . Departments were again left brittle and vulnerable. In Chicago, one-time COVID grants made up 51% of the health department budget, and their ending will push staff numbers below pre-pandemic levels — slowing responses to outbreaks and forcing officials to scale back food safety, violence prevention and other programs. In Mecklenburg, the department lost 180 employees as COVID funds dried up. It also lost a wastewater monitoring partnership with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte that helped the county react quickly to changing COVID variants and could have also been used to detect new threats like bird flu. The cuts are not over. The Trump administration has proposed cutting billions more from CDC's budget, enough to cut the agency's spending in half. CDC sends about 80 percent of its budget to states and local communities Public health leaders warn the the relentless cuts to the system leave departments unable to respond to new pandemics and old diseases returning across the United States. ___ Ungar reported from Charlotte and Louisville, Kentucky, and Smith reported from Providence, Rhode Island. Associated Press reporters Mary Conlon in Washington and Kenya Hunter in Atlanta contributed to this report.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Takeaways from AP's report on how federal public health cuts are affecting communities across the US
Americans are losing a vast array of people and programs dedicated to keeping them healthy. State and local health departments responsible for invisible but critical work including inspecting restaurants, monitoring wastewater for harmful germs, responding to outbreaks and other tasks to protect both individuals and communities are being hollowed out. The Trump administration is cutting health spending on an unprecedented scale, experts say. It's pulled $11 billion of direct federal support and eliminated 20,000 jobs at at national health agencies that in part support local public health work. It's proposing billions more be slashed. Public health leaders said the cuts are reducing the entire system to a shadow of what it once was and threatening to undermine even routine work – even as the nation faces threats from diseases like measles, whooping cough and bird flu. The moves reflect a shift away from the very idea of public health: doing the work that no individual can do alone to safeguard the population as a whole. Here are some takeaways from The Associated Press examination of how federal cuts to public health are affecting communities and people across the United States. Disease prevention is unseen — and ignored Prevention work is low key. It's impossible to identify who was saved because, if it goes well, the person never knows when they've fended off a mortal threat with the invisible shield of public health. The health department in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, for example, has run a mobile clinic that it brings to high schools to ensure students are up-to-date on shots for diseases like measles and polio. Those shots help both the student and the wider community stay healthy — if enough people are vaccinated. U.S. health departments run programs to reduce suicides and drug overdoses, improve prenatal health and help people stop smoking. They educate people about health and test for and treat diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis. Some, including Mecklenburg, operate medical and dental clinics too. The work departments do is also cost effective, experts have found. For every dollar spent on childhood immunizations, the country is estimated to save $11; on tobacco cessation, $2-$3; on asthma control, $70. Chaos in Washington puts 'lives at risk' State and local health departments depend on federal money and support. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sends about 80 percent of its budget to states and local communities and helps those departments with its expertise and other resources. When the Trump administration pulled $11 billion from state and local health departments without warning in March, then laid off thousands of people at CDC a week later, public health leaders said the cuts delivered a serious blow to communities across the country. All eight employees dedicated to the mobile vaccine program in Mecklenburg were laid off. Nine disease intervention specialists in Columbus, Ohio, were let go as the department prepared to address a measles outbreak. Nashville had to end a program offering free flu and COVID tests. Meanwhile, tobacco hotlines, early intervention programs for children who are deaf or hard of hearing, and programs to prevent drowning are all being affected in states and communities because CDC teams were laid off. A spokesman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said HHS is reorganizing what he said were 'broken systems' and rejected "the implication that HHS has turned its back on urgent health threats.' HHS justified the grant cancellations by saying the money was for COVID and the pandemic is over. But most of the cuts were in areas that are especially important given today's health threats, including epidemiology and laboratory capacity as well as immunizations. Connecticut's state health commissioner told a Democratic congressional hearing the current uncertainty 'puts lives at risk.' Public health funding is going bust — and about to get worse The new cuts are especially damaging because health departments are funded differently than other government agencies meant to protect the public: Funding pours in during emergencies and slows to a relative trickle when they subside. Public health leaders often cite the contrast with fire departments, which are kept ready at all times, not scrambling to find firefighters and fire trucks when houses are already burning. A temporary surge of money during the pandemic allowed some health departments to expand and strengthen programs. But by early this year, most of that money had disappeared, along with other COVID-era grants across the nation — some because they ended and some because the government rescinded them. Departments were again left brittle and vulnerable. In Chicago, one-time COVID grants made up 51% of the health department budget, and their ending will push staff numbers below pre-pandemic levels — slowing responses to outbreaks and forcing officials to scale back food safety, violence prevention and other programs. In Mecklenburg, the department lost 180 employees as COVID funds dried up. It also lost a wastewater monitoring partnership with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte that helped the county react quickly to changing COVID variants and could have also been used to detect new threats like bird flu. The cuts are not over. The Trump administration has proposed cutting billions more from CDC's budget, enough to cut the agency's spending in half. CDC sends about 80 percent of its budget to states and local communities Public health leaders warn the the relentless cuts to the system leave departments unable to respond to new pandemics and old diseases returning across the United States. ___
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
West Coast bank signs lease at uptown tower for first Charlotte office
A California-based bank is breaking into the Charlotte market with its first office space. City National Bank has signed a long-term lease for a full floor at One South in uptown, according to building permits filed last week with Mecklenburg County. The permits, filed May 15, are for the upfit of the financial institution's office space and total about $3.5 million, according to county records. READ: 'I've been where they are': Concord woman gives back at pantry that once helped her The bank's 22,000-square-foot office will be completed by the end of the year and will accommodate 115 employees. Read the full story here. WATCH: 'I've been where they are': Concord woman gives back at pantry that once helped her Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Juvenile defendants at risk after state cuts legal funding
For decades, the Council for Children has acted as the Public Defender's Office for juveniles. However, late last month, the state cut its funding, and experts say there will be no one available to pick up that slack. And while experts say this change could really bottleneck the juvenile justice system. It could also leave some teens without lawyers, which could lead to some judges refusing to take their cases. Saturday evening, the Harris Teeter on Davis Lake Parkway was set on fire. Paul Khamvongsa, who owned the Thai restaurant next door, said he was furious to learn that a juvenile had been arrested for the crime. ALSO READ: Arson at Harris Teeter under investigation 'I don't understand how kids think nowadays. Why would you want to set places on fire that could injure somebody or kill somebody?' said Khamvongsa. In the past, juvenile defendants would be represented by the Council for Children's Rights, but a shift in state funding has put the agency out of the juvenile defense business. Mecklenburg County Public Defender Kevin Tully told Channel 9 that the loss could mean some juveniles won't have attorneys. 'It can't be overstated how well they have done that work,' said Tully. 'I imagine without a lawyer to represent a child, the child's case cannot proceed.' Tully said this could potentially result in some juveniles who need to be detained remaining on the street, as well as some who need to be released staying in custody. He said with their current caseloads, the Public Defender's Office can't afford to pick up the slack. 'The public defender's office would love to be able to do it, now that there is a need, but we don't have the resources,' said Tully. While Khamvongsa expressed his frustrations with some juvenile offenders, he did say he felt like some of them should receive a second chance. Tully said that process begins in the courtroom. 'So not having an attorney representing a child in that situation is unthinkable,' Tully explained. Some former attorneys with the council said they are trying to help. However, without salaries and with all the expenses of operating their own office, Tully said that it will be a tall order. VIDEO: Arson under investigation at north Charlotte Harris Teeter
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Wild moment migrant tries to escape ICE agents by jumping into pond outside courthouse
A brazen migrant was caught on camera trying to escape Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents by jumping into a pond outside of a courthouse. The unidentified man apparently had a court hearing at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse in Charlotte, North Carolina Thursday afternoon, when he ran across the lawn, across the street and into a duck pond in nearby Marshall Park, WBTV reports. There, he was seen shirtless wading through waist-deep water as two officers stood by the edge and a third chased after him in the water. Suddenly, another officer in blue runs into view and tackles him into the pond. A brief scuffle ensued, leaving the officer in blue soaking wet. But eventually, the officer, the one who was chasing after him and another who jumps in the water were able to handcuff him. Wild scene outside the Mecklenburg County Courthouse – shirtless man chased into a duck pond and tackled by ICE officers. Officers told me they were arresting the man. We're working to get more details. #CLTNews #Breaking #ICE @WBTV_News — Jason Puckett (@JasonPWBTV) May 15, 2025 Soon, the migrant was seen out of the water as the officers led him to a car nearby. They identified themselves to a WBTV reporter as 'Immigration Officers' and displayed Customs and Border Protection badges. It remains unclear who the migrant is and what crimes he has been charged with.
