HHS reinstates more than 450 CDC employees fired in April reorganization, including childhood lead poisoning team
More than 200 employees had their firings rescinded at the CDC's National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and Tuberculosis Prevention, along with 158 at the National Center for Environmental Health, an HHS spokesperson confirmed. Another 71 were brought back in the Office of the Director and two dozen more at the Global Health Center.
The reinstatements represent almost 20% of the 2,400 CDC employees who HHS said it was dismissing in a mass Reduction in Force, or RIF, in April. The cuts also affected employees across the US Food and Drug Administration, the US National Institutes of Health and the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, but an HHS spokesperson said Wednesday's reinstatements applied only to employees at the CDC.
'Under Secretary Kennedy's leadership, the nation's critical public health functions remain intact and effective,' HHS Director of Communications Andrew Nixon said in a statement. 'The Trump Administration is committed to protecting essential services – whether it's supporting coal miners and firefighters through NIOSH, safeguarding public health through lead prevention, or researching and tracking the most prevalent communicable diseases.
'HHS is streamlining operations without compromising mission-critical work,' he continued. 'Enhancing the health and well-being of all Americans remains our top priority.'
Fox News earlier reported the reinstatements.
The cuts had wiped out the CDC's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and Surveillance Branch as it was in the midst of helping the city of Milwaukee address a lead exposure crisis in its public schools. The firings meant the CDC had to deny a request from the city for specialists to help. US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was repeatedly pressed by reporters and lawmakers over the situation, and he said he didn't intend to eliminate the branch.
On Wednesday, the entire lead team was rehired, along with its parent group, the Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, according to its newly reinstated director, Dr. Erik Svendsen.
'You previously received a notice regarding the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) upcoming reduction in force (RIF),' read an email to reinstated employees, obtained by CNN, who had been put on administrative leave since the notice of their dismissal. 'That notice is hereby revoked. You will not be affected by the upcoming RIF.'
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News24
3 hours ago
- News24
From apartheid's all-white world to HIV frontlines: The activist doctor with a 5-year fix for SA healthcare
HIV researcher Francois Venter heads up Ezintsha, the Wits-based medical research centre, and is known for speaking without any regard for self-preservation – something a lecturer friend calls 'borderline cancel language'. Venter grew up under apartheid, weaned on Springbok radio and weekly military-style marching drills in Phalaborwa, Limpopo, where he was one of seven children and – until he landed at Wits – had 'never met a black person who wasn't a servant'. Sean Christie talked to him about his unorthodox inaugural full professorship lecture, his work during the height of the Aids crisis, the Trump administration's defunding of HIV and scientific research and his shoot-from-the-hip fix of our healthcare system. An inaugural lecture is a formal event thrown by a university to commemorate the lecturer's appointment to full professorship. They are usually pinnacle-of-career moments. Francois Venter's inaugural lecture at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2023 was not typical. He began by recounting years of successfully dodging requests to deliver the lecture, often blaming the university's email system for his lack of response. While he dutifully name-checked his professional role models and heroes, he also took the opportunity to give credit to his tennis and rock climbing coaches. Interwoven with these acknowledgements were lively anecdotes - such as drinking tequila with Dexter Holland of The Offspring rock band (who earned a PhD in molecular biology in 2017) and receiving not one, but two, untimely calls from Standard Bank ('I swear I turned this off …'). Venter's aversion to formalism, it seems, remains resolutely untreated. 'I hate, hate, hate talking about myself,' he warns. We are sitting in the immaculate boardroom of Ezintsha, the Wits-based medical research centre that Venter leads. Ezintsha came to international attention in 2019 after the results of a clinical trial called ADVANCE were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study showed the effectiveness of new HIV therapies and, perhaps more importantly, demonstrated why it is important that clinical trials be conducted in the contexts in which the drugs are mainly consumed. The therapies worked, but as Venter puts it, 'with complications peculiar to local populations, far from the sanitised world of curated pharmaceutical studies done on healthy white men.' Venter, by this time, was already well known for his work in HIV, not only for his scientific outputs but for taking up cudgels on behalf of people living with HIV. Venter's response to being singled out is predictable: 'There are so many people in the HIV world who did much more, and more bravely.' It is the refrain of many treatment activists, and it was no deterrent to my questions about his childhood in the Lowveld town of Phalaborwa. 'The town has a paint colour named after it – Phalaborwa Dust – a sort of dull grey, which says everything, really,' says Venter, who was born in 1969, the first of seven children. Venter's Afrikaans-speaking father worked as an accountant for the Palabora Mining Company, while his English mother ran a creche. 'You couldn't have a family that size today,' he says. 'They managed because the company subsidised everything from education to golf club memberships.' In a time of grand apartheid, Venter's world was particularly white and insular. 'Growing up, I never met a black person who wasn't a servant,' he admits. Supplied/Bhekisia 'I worked like crazy at school, knowing that was my ticket out of there,' says Venter, who worried his lowveld credentials would make him the odd man out at Wits medical school. 'Instead, I walked into this amazing diversity of people. For a boy who grew up on Springbok radio, it was more than I had dreamed of,' he says. Cancel language Venter is tall, powerfully built. The sharp edges of a forearm tattoo peek out of the sleeve of a black puffer jacket. His disposition is nervous, though, his speech often self-effacing, although mention one of his many bugbears and a quiet fury brims. Venter is known for speaking without any regard to 'self-preservation'. Like a good journalist, he calls it as he sees it. Supplied/Bhekisisa The comparison pleases Venter, who was editor of the campus newspaper, Wits Student, in 1991. The publication had been overtly political since depicting Prime Minister John Vorster in a butcher's outfit in 1973. 'I enjoyed the cut and thrust of the media, and understanding its place in political life,' says Venter, who credits journalism with making him a better HIV researcher and political organiser. He describes his involvement in student politics as an almost involuntary act, akin to staying afloat in a turbulent river. 'The late 80s were some of the worst for apartheid repression. Fellow students were being detained and tortured, their families maimed and disappeared. There was nowhere for a white person to hide, and joining the fight [against apartheid] was the only moral choice.' Medicine, in those first years, was at the edge of Venter's concerns. He maintains he was a 'mediocre student' although he pulled his socks up in his fifth year. Dying in Baragwanath Healthcare provided Venter with a clear view of the twistedness of apartheid policy. 'You go into the black hospitals and it's like, jeez, the things that are happening there. Meanwhile, white people are receiving world-class care,' says Venter, who did his 'house job' (residency) at Hillbrow Hospital, which is where he first encountered HIV as a student. 'It was the beginning of that incredible surge in numbers that occurred between 1993 and 1997. The first cases I saw were returning political exiles,' says Venter, who experienced an internal snap after an incident in a Yeoville restaurant. 'It was 1995. Rocky Street was still quite eclectic and happening, and I was hanging out in a restaurant run by this Caribbean guy I knew. He had booted out a young drug addict, who went across the street and bought a knife, came back and stabbed him in the heart. It was 10am. I tried to resuscitate him, but I had nothing. He bled to death in front of me, and I was like, f*ck South Africa and its trauma and violence.' Venter boarded a plane for the United Kingdom, and a hospital job he found 'terminally boring'. By 1997, he was back in Johannesburg, specialising in internal medicine. The HIV epidemic was at its zenith, and hospitals across the country were overwhelmed. 'In some of the hospitals, like Bara (Baragwanath Hospital), you just left patients in casualty, and they would die there and go out the door. 'In Joburg Gen (Johannesburg General Hospital, today Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital), you put them on the floor in the corridors, and they died there waiting for a bed. It was brutal,' says Venter. 'The numbers had surged with a suddenness and severity that we still don't really understand. Nelson Mandela was trying to prevent a race war. There really wasn't much that he, or anybody else, could have done. I didn't understand the transmission enough, and we didn't have the tools to prevent it.' Toxic - and incredibly effective On completion of his specialist time ,Venter was burnt out and unsure of what to do with his life. He was interested in HIV, sparked by his experience of looking after a haemophiliac in 1997. 'The patient was one of a group that had HIV after receiving infected blood imported from the US by the state in the 1980s. 'The apartheid government took a decision to pay for their treatment with what was then extremely expensive antiretroviral therapy (ART), and the ANC government continued this,' says Venter, who was amazed at the impact of the drugs on his patient. 'I saw this patient in ICU just come off a ventilator, which just did not happen in those days.' Venter was offered a job with the Wits-based Clinical HIV Research Unit by world-renowned HIV expert Ian Sanne, who, says Venter, 'taught me how to do clinical trials, how to play with these toxic, incredibly effective drugs, and it was really the first time I was able to start seeing myself as someone who was going to get involved in HIV. The drugs have evolved since then, now more effective with almost no side effects.' It was also where Venter started interacting with the NGOs and activists then taking the fight for affordable antiretroviral therapies to the government. The Treatment Action Campaign had started smuggling them into the country. 'It was devastating, though, watching them fighting our government to even acknowledge HIV existed, while their members died needing those drugs. The hypocrisy of senior political figures, many of whom had family members on ARVs (antiretrovirals) I was treating, yet didn't call out Mbeki, is unforgivable.' He then joined Professor Helen Rees' Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Initiative and began working out of Esselen Street Clinic, an old Hillbrow facility home to the first South African HIV testing site, and from where he ran a huge US government-funded HIV support programme for the next decade across several provinces, gaining experience in expanding primary care approaches in chronic diseases. Sponsored by Since those heady Esselen days, many important clinical trials, HIV programmes, research papers and court cases have gone under the bridge, and Venter has become part of the moral conscience of South Africa. For years, Ezintsha was based in a Yeoville house and Hillbrow back rooms, around which sewage spills split and foamed. Now, it occupies two floors of a large office block in Parktown, an environment of biometric access controls and curvilinear glass, employing 150 people. On the upper floor is the Sleep Clinic, where patients with suspected sleep disorders lie back on R50 000 mattresses sponsored by the company. READ | Struggling with a sleep disorder? First-of-its-kind sleep clinic launched in Johannesburg 'The quid pro quo is that they be allowed to advertise,' says a faintly apologetic Venter. The Sleep Clinic also houses a new obesity clinic, where Venter sees patients with South Africa's new pandemic. 'The new drugs for obesity are every bit as revolutionary as the HIV drugs,' he says, 'but every bit as fiddly as antiretrovirals were in 2000'. New studies, using these wonder drugs in people with both HIV and obesity, are being hatched here to try to improve primary care for diabetes, hypertension and other common diseases in South Africa. The race to the bottom The transit away from the streets into cushy offices is one that many organisations working on HIV have made in recent years. 'It is nice not to have to worry about staff being pistol-whipped while at work,' remarks Venter, but donor funding, while key to the fight against HIV in South Africa, has also distanced organisations from communities, and created a dependency which, following the collapse of the US government's Aids fund, Pepfar, and the United States International Agency for International Development, USAID, threatens catastrophe. READ | How the health department will deal with Pepfar's near collapse 'What happened still feels quite unthinkable. It is extremely frustrating that our systems have not been made sustainable and are now on the brink of collapse as a result of Pepfar having been interwoven with the national HIV programme to such an extent everything unravels when it is stopped.' Venter sketches a scenario, in which South Africa's HIV response – 'the one effective programme we have' – is misleadingly characterised as 'too expensive', and dragged down to the lowest common denominator, 'leading to the same terrible outcomes you find in crap programmes, like diabetes'. 'A race to the bottom, in other words,' says Venter. 'We have poor indicators for almost every health metric outside of HIV, TB and vaccines, and even those are now slipping, due to the health department dropping the ball. 'Both our public and private health services are an expensive mess, for very different reasons. The health minister has been in charge for most of the last 17 years, we have endless excellent white papers and policy documents that gather dust, and little to show for the continent's most expensive health system.' Will this grim scenario prevail, or will South African healthcare be shepherded through the labyrinth of budget cuts and misfiring systems? Venter doesn't see why not. Venter says: Our problems are systemic, and we have enough resources and brains to fix them. He pauses to mull the judiciousness of his next point. 'I'll tell you what you do. You take the top people from the medical aids and tell them: You can't be head of Discovery or the Government Employee Medical Scheme, Gems, anymore, lead with the best people from academia, from government, the private sector, donors, civil society, form a focused group with teeth, and run the health system. 'We all declare our interests, put an end to corruption, and everyone from the president and the minister of health down in government must use the public healthcare system when using their medical aid. If they experience the system first-hand, they will have an immediate investment in assisting those fixing it. 'Start using the innovations South Africans are world leaders in, including data systems. If we do that, I am telling you we will fix the system in five years.' Venter, clearly, has already rolled up his sleeves for this new fight. It will be interesting to see who joins him.
Miami Herald
4 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Hershey makes major change candy lovers may not have seen coming
For those with a sweet tooth, candy is the ultimate guilty pleasure. Whether chocolate, lollipops, or gummies, these treats are undeniably addictive. Let's be honest. We often tell ourselves we'll just have one bite, but once we get a taste, it's nearly impossible to stop. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Many of us can relate to hiding candy from our parents as kids so they wouldn't lecture us on how bad it is for our health. Now that we are adults, we have no one to prevent us from eating an entire box of chocolates in one sitting, except ourselves. Related: Hershey adds new products to move beyond chocolate Most people aren't trying to cut out candy just because it's high in calories; they're also concerned about the added sugars, lack of nutrients, and potential health risks that come with it. Yet, the ingredients list often gets overlooked, which can be nearly as long and difficult to pronounce as a college philosophy book. Image source: Getty Images The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently kicked off various new measures to phase out six petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation's food supply by the end of next year. The intent is to encourage natural alternatives, as synthetic dyes may be linked to childhood diabetes, obesity, depression, and ADHD. Related: Hershey creates new guilt-free candy that's a dream combo "For too long, some food producers have been feeding Americans petroleum-based chemicals without their knowledge or consent," said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. "These poisonous compounds offer no nutritional benefit and pose real, measurable dangers to our children's health and era is coming to an end." This request has reached multiple states, with West Virginia becoming the first state to ban the sale of food containing artificial dyes and preservatives beginning in 2028. Texas will now require warning labels on food products containing synthetic dyes starting in 2027. Major food companies, including ConAgra Brands (CAG) , General Mills (GIS) , Tyson Foods (TSN) , and W.K. Kellogg (KLG) , have recently joined the initiative by committing to completely remove synthetic dyes by the end of 2027, with Nestlé USA (NSRGY) aiming for mid-2026. Now, Hershey (HSY) , the largest chocolate manufacturer in the U.S., is hopping on the trend, promising to remove synthetic dyes from its products by the end of 2027. More Food News: Starbucks' huge new rival opens first US storesMcDonald's brings back experimental menu item 13 years laterOreo listens to fans and brings back flavor after nearly a decade Many of the company's products, including Jolly Ranchers, Twizzlers, and Reese's Pieces, rely on synthetic dyes, and removing them would require a hefty investment if it wants to fulfill its promise. Hershey acknowledges that making these changes would increase consumer costs, but removing the dyes will provide customers with more options, while ensuring confidence and trust in its products. However, finances might be a bit tight, since net sales in its North America Confectionery sector fell 15% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to last year. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Time Business News
5 hours ago
- Time Business News
Best HIV treatment in Delhi NCRBest HIV Treatment in Delhi NCR: A Comprehensive GuideBest HIV treatment in Delhi NCR
Living with HIV requires expert care and access to effective treatment options. In Delhi NCR, the availability of world-class medical facilities ensures that patients receive the best care possible. Among these, Dr. Monga Clinic stands out for its holistic approach, advanced treatment methods, and compassionate care. Whether you're seeking guidance, medications, or ongoing management, finding the best HIV treatment in Delhi NCR is now more accessible than ever. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks the immune system, making the body vulnerable to infections and diseases. Without treatment, HIV can progress to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which severely weakens the immune system. However, advancements in medical science have made HIV a manageable condition. With timely diagnosis and proper treatment, individuals with HIV can lead long, healthy lives. Managing HIV requires a comprehensive approach that includes: Accurate Diagnosis: Early detection is critical for effective management. Antiretroviral Therapy (ART): The cornerstone of HIV treatment, ART helps suppress the virus and prevent its progression. Counseling and Support: Emotional and mental well-being are equally important. Regular Monitoring: Routine check-ups ensure the treatment plan remains effective. Specialized clinics like Dr. Monga Clinic offer tailored solutions that address each patient's unique needs. Dr. Monga Clinic is renowned for its expertise in managing HIV and related conditions. Here's why it is trusted by many: Experienced Specialists:The clinic is led by seasoned healthcare professionals with years of experience in treating HIV. Their in-depth knowledge ensures patients receive the most effective care. Comprehensive Approach:The treatment approach at Dr. Monga Clinic goes beyond just medication. It includes counseling, lifestyle modifications, and regular health check-ups to ensure overall well-being. Privacy and Confidentiality:Dr. Monga Clinic understands the sensitivity of HIV treatment and prioritizes patient confidentiality, creating a safe and supportive environment. State-of-the-Art Facilities:The clinic is equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities, ensuring that patients receive the best care under one roof. Convenient Location: Situated in Delhi NCR, the clinic is easily accessible for residents of the region, making it a go-to choice for those seeking the Best HIV treatment in Delhi NCR. Contact Information: If you or someone you know needs expert care, call Dr. Monga Clinic at 8010977000 to book an appointment. Starting HIV treatment at the earliest offers several advantages: Improved Quality of Life : With effective treatment, individuals can maintain a healthy lifestyle. : With effective treatment, individuals can maintain a healthy lifestyle. Prevention of Complications : Early intervention reduces the risk of opportunistic infections. : Early intervention reduces the risk of opportunistic infections. Undetectable Viral Load : ART can suppress the virus to undetectable levels, reducing the risk of transmission. : ART can suppress the virus to undetectable levels, reducing the risk of transmission. Longevity : Proper treatment ensures a near-normal lifespan for people living with HIV. : Proper treatment ensures a near-normal lifespan for people living with HIV. There are several misconceptions surrounding HIV treatment. Let's debunk some of them: 'HIV is a death sentence.' Fact: With modern treatment options, HIV is a manageable condition. 'ART cures HIV.' Fact: While ART doesn't cure HIV, it effectively controls the virus, allowing individuals to live normal lives. 'HIV treatment is unaffordable.' Fact: Clinics like Dr. Monga Clinic offer affordable and accessible treatment plans. 'People on ART can't have children.' Fact: With proper medical guidance, individuals with HIV can have healthy children. If you're seeking expert care, follow these steps: Consult a Specialist: Schedule an appointment with a trusted clinic like Dr. Monga Clinic. Undergo Diagnostic Tests: Comprehensive testing ensures accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Follow Your Treatment Plan: Adhere to the prescribed medications and lifestyle changes. Stay Informed: Educate yourself about the condition to make informed decisions. Join Support Groups: Sharing experiences with others can provide emotional strength and motivation. With a patient-centric approach, Dr. Monga Clinic has emerged as a beacon of hope for many. Their commitment to quality care, ethical practices, and continuous innovation makes them a preferred choice for HIV treatment in Delhi NCR. Contact Information: If you or someone you know needs help, reach out to Dr. Monga Clinic today. Phone: 8010977000 Location:20, National Park (Basement), Lajpat Nagar Part-4, New Delhi, Delhi 110024 Choosing the best HIV treatment in Delhi NCR is crucial for managing the condition effectively. With clinics like Dr. Monga Clinic, you can be assured of top-notch care, compassion, and support every step of the way. Take charge of your health and start your journey toward a fulfilling life today. Living with HIV requires expert care and access to effective treatment options. In Delhi NCR, the availability of world-class medical facilities ensures that patients receive the best care possible. Among these, Dr. Monga Clinic stands out for its holistic approach, advanced treatment methods, and compassionate care. Whether you're seeking guidance, medications, or ongoing management, finding the best HIV treatment in Delhi NCR is now more accessible than ever. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks the immune system, making the body vulnerable to infections and diseases. Without treatment, HIV can progress to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which severely weakens the immune system. However, advancements in medical science have made HIV a manageable condition. With timely diagnosis and proper treatment, individuals with HIV can lead long, healthy lives. Managing HIV requires a comprehensive approach that includes: Accurate Diagnosis: Early detection is critical for effective management. Antiretroviral Therapy (ART): The cornerstone of HIV treatment, ART helps suppress the virus and prevent its progression. Counseling and Support: Emotional and mental well-being are equally important. Regular Monitoring: Routine check-ups ensure the treatment plan remains effective. Specialized clinics like Dr. Monga Clinic offer tailored solutions that address each patient's unique needs. Dr. Monga Clinic is renowned for its expertise in managing HIV and related conditions. Here's why it is trusted by many: Experienced Specialists:The clinic is led by seasoned healthcare professionals with years of experience in treating HIV. Their in-depth knowledge ensures patients receive the most effective care. Comprehensive Approach:The treatment approach at Dr. Monga Clinic goes beyond just medication. It includes counseling, lifestyle modifications, and regular health check-ups to ensure overall well-being. Privacy and Confidentiality:Dr. Monga Clinic understands the sensitivity of HIV treatment and prioritizes patient confidentiality, creating a safe and supportive environment. State-of-the-Art Facilities:The clinic is equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities, ensuring that patients receive the best care under one roof. Convenient Location: Situated in Delhi NCR, the clinic is easily accessible for residents of the region, making it a go-to choice for those seeking the Best HIV treatment in Delhi NCR. Contact Information: If you or someone you know needs expert care, call Dr. Monga Clinic at 8010977000 to book an appointment. Starting HIV treatment at the earliest offers several advantages: Improved Quality of Life : With effective treatment, individuals can maintain a healthy lifestyle. : With effective treatment, individuals can maintain a healthy lifestyle. Prevention of Complications : Early intervention reduces the risk of opportunistic infections. : Early intervention reduces the risk of opportunistic infections. Undetectable Viral Load : ART can suppress the virus to undetectable levels, reducing the risk of transmission. : ART can suppress the virus to undetectable levels, reducing the risk of transmission. Longevity: Proper treatment ensures a near-normal lifespan for people living with HIV. There are several misconceptions surrounding HIV treatment. Let's debunk some of them: 'HIV is a death sentence.' Fact: With modern treatment options, HIV is a manageable condition. 'ART cures HIV.' Fact: While ART doesn't cure HIV, it effectively controls the virus, allowing individuals to live normal lives. 'HIV treatment is unaffordable.' Fact: Clinics like Dr. Monga Clinic offer affordable and accessible treatment plans. 'People on ART can't have children.' Fact: With proper medical guidance, individuals with HIV can have healthy children. If you're seeking expert care, follow these steps: Consult a Specialist: Schedule an appointment with a trusted clinic like Dr. Monga Clinic. Undergo Diagnostic Tests: Comprehensive testing ensures accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Follow Your Treatment Plan: Adhere to the prescribed medications and lifestyle changes. Stay Informed: Educate yourself about the condition to make informed decisions. Join Support Groups: Sharing experiences with others can provide emotional strength and motivation. With a patient-centric approach, Dr. Monga Clinic has emerged as a beacon of hope for many. Their commitment to quality care, ethical practices, and continuous innovation makes them a preferred choice for HIV treatment in Delhi NCR. Contact Information: If you or someone you know needs help, reach out to Dr. Monga Clinic today. Phone: 8010977000 Location:20, National Park (Basement), Lajpat Nagar Part-4, New Delhi, Delhi 110024 Choosing the best HIV treatment in Delhi NCR is crucial for managing the condition effectively. With clinics like Dr. Monga Clinic, you can be assured of top-notch care, compassion, and support every step of the way. Take charge of your health and start your journey toward a fulfilling life today. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
