The interconnected roles of the CDC, ACIP, CLIAC, and NIH in infection prevention cannot be overstated. Ongoing funding cuts to these agencies endanger progress made in reducing healthcare-associated infections and risk reversing decades of advancements.”

Who Will Be Most Affected?

Cuts to these public health institutions do not impact all healthcare settings equally. Rural hospitals, long-term care facilities, and safety-net hospitals often have fewer resources and rely more heavily on federal guidance and funding. Patients with chronic illnesses, those undergoing surgeries, and immunocompromised individuals are at greater risk for HAIs and will be disproportionately affected by any decline in infection control.

Moving Forward: Advocacy and Awareness

The implications of weakening America’ s public health infrastructure are stark. Infection prevention requires coordination, sustained funding, and a science-driven approach. Advocates, healthcare professionals, and policymakers must work together to emphasize the cost-effectiveness of investing in infection control— both in lives saved and healthcare dollars conserved. For every dollar spent on HAI prevention, studies show multiple dollars are saved in reduced treatment costs and hospital stays. Public health matters ALL the time to EVERYONE, and a weakened infrastructure is detrimental to global“ One Health” policies and platforms.

In conclusion, the interconnected roles of the CDC, ACIP, CLIAC, and NIH in infection prevention cannot be overstated. Ongoing funding cuts to these agencies endanger progress made in reducing healthcare-associated infections and risk reversing decades of advancements. At a time when antibiotic resistance is rising and global health threats are increasing, robust investment in infection prevention infrastructure is not optional— it’ s essential.

Rodney E. Rohde, PhD, MS, SM( ASCP) CM, SVCM, MBCM, FACSc, is the Regents’ Professor, Texas State University System; University Distinguished Chair & Professor, Clinical Laboratory Science( CLS); TEDx Speaker & Global Fellow – Global Citizenship Alliance; Texas State Honorary Professor of International Studies; Associate Director, Translational Health Research Initiative; Past President, Texas Association for CLS.

The Infection Prevention Exchange

By MD-Medical Data Quality & Safety Advisors, LLC

The IPEX Bundle

• Data

• Process Improvement

• Technology • Artificial Intelligence

Patient & Staff Safety

Patient Satisfaction Scores improved LeapFrog Scores improved

Financial & Operational Efficiencies 50-75 % Reductions in cost of infection

HEALTHCARE-ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS

Contact Tracing

50-75 % Reductions in infections

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