When the Trump administration takes the reins of the executive branch in a couple of months, we’re likely to see a public health policy shift rooted in “Project 2025.”
Unlike the Biden administration’s focus on evidence-based policies and health equity, Project 2025 pushes for reducing federal oversight, cutting programs for vulnerable communities, and giving states greater control over health decisions.
Appointing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services would reinforce this shift, as Kennedy’s views often diverge from mainstream public health approaches, especially on issues like vaccination and disease prevention.
If Project 2025 takes center stage, agencies like the CDC, FDA, and CMS might scale back regulatory efforts, particularly those aimed at addressing social determinants of health, climate impacts, and preventive healthcare.
This shift could lead to limited funding for programs that support underserved communities, such as initiatives targeting maternal health, opioid addiction, and mental health support. Priorities might pivot toward deregulation and personal choice, rather than federal mandates rooted in public health research.
The roadmap could also mean a push to deregulate the pharmaceutical industry and roll back FDA approval processes, potentially emphasizing speed over rigor. Additionally, climate-focused health initiatives could be deprioritized or cut altogether, despite growing evidence on the health risks of climate change.
Ultimately, Project 2025 promises a major reorientation, replacing much of the evidence-driven focus of the last few years with a less regulated, state-led model. As public health experts warn, such a move could risk widening health disparities, undermining infectious disease prevention, and reducing access to safe, effective medical care.
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