Getting accurate information to doctors and the public so they can make healthy decisions is critical. CDC workers and public health experts say that mission is now in danger.

It is unclear what will happen to hundreds of pending requests for public information as the health agencies slash staff.

Kennedy Jr., who heads the Department of Health and Human Services, CDC’s parent agency. Trump praised Monarez for her experience promoting innovation, transparency and strong public health systems.

“This is unprecedented, both in the scale and scope of destruction of CDC, and unprecedented in the secret manner in which it’s been being carried out,” said Fleming, a public health ...