The Trump administration\u2019s new global health strategy, released last month, lists its most important goal as outbreak prevention and response, both to protect Americans and to safeguard the economy.<\/p>\n
Containing the Ebola outbreak in West Africa a decade ago cost the United States $5.4 billion globally and more than $70 million domestically, the strategy report notes<\/a>, adding, \u201cAs we have unfortunately seen all too frequently, an outbreak anywhere in the world can quickly become a threat to Americans.\u201d<\/p>\n Yet, the freeze on America\u2019s foreign aid in January disrupted many programs<\/a> that extinguished outbreaks. Citing \u201cwaste, fraud and abuse\u201d at federal agencies, the administration also laid off thousands of scientists, including many who worked on preventing and containing infectious diseases.<\/p>\n Since the spring, the administration has restored some programs and rehired some scientists. And on Saturday, it rescinded the layoffs of hundreds of infectious disease experts fired in error just a day earlier.<\/p>\n But many others placed on administrative leave are still awaiting word on their next career steps.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Trump administration\u2019s new global health strategy, released last month, lists its most important goal as outbreak prevention and response, both to protect Americans and to safeguard the economy.<\/p>\n Containing the Ebola outbreak in West Africa a decade ago cost the United States $5.4 billion globally and more than $70 million domestically, the strategy report notes<\/a>, adding, \u201cAs we have unfortunately seen all too frequently, an outbreak anywhere in the world can quickly become a threat to Americans.\u201d<\/p>\n Yet, the freeze on America\u2019s foreign aid in January disrupted many programs<\/a> that extinguished outbreaks. Citing \u201cwaste, fraud and abuse\u201d at federal agencies, the administration also laid off thousands of scientists, including many who worked on preventing and containing infectious diseases.<\/p>\n