Protect public health offices combating disparities, HIV, vaccine misinformation.

The planned cuts to the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy and the Office of Minority Health are deeply concerning. These offices play a crucial role in promoting vaccination, preventing HIV/AIDS, and addressing health disparities faced by minority communities. Dismantling them would undermine efforts to protect public health and ensure equitable access to healthcare for all Americans. The recent "Let's Get Real" campaign aimed to provide factual information to healthcare providers and combat vaccine hesitancy, which has led to a worrying decline in childhood vaccination rates nationwide. Without this office, crucial initiatives to improve vaccination rates and address misinformation about vaccine safety could be jeopardized. Moreover, the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. program, launched to combat the HIV/AIDS crisis, could be severely impacted. This program has been instrumental in coordinating efforts across agencies and providing essential resources to vulnerable communities. Cutting the Office of Minority Health would further exacerbate health disparities faced by racial and ethnic minorities, who often face barriers to accessing quality healthcare. This office plays a vital role in addressing these inequities and ensuring that the unique health needs of diverse communities are addressed. These proposed cuts undermine public health priorities and could have severe repercussions for the well-being of all Americans, particularly those from marginalized communities. A commitment to science-based policymaking and addressing health disparities should guide decision-making, not ideological agendas that put lives at risk. Prioritizing the health and safety of all Americans must be the paramount concern.