From Abolition Threat to Full Funding: CDC Injury Center's Victory

By Sharon Gilmartin, February 16, 2026

Sharon Gilmartin, the executive director of the Safe States Alliance, highlights a significant victory for public health. Last May, the White House issued a budget request for FY2026 that aimed to abolish the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. However, just nine months later, President Trump enacted an appropriations bill that secured full funding for the center for the remainder of the fiscal year.

This pivotal turnaround offers crucial insights for public health initiatives facing similar challenges from an administration that has consistently targeted their mission, operations, and personnel. The journey from proposed elimination to full funding provides a blueprint for advocacy in a complex political landscape.

Protecting Vital Injury Prevention Efforts

The Injury Center stands as the foremost agency dedicated to preventing overdose, suicide, and a broad spectrum of other injuries across all 50 states. For over 30 years, it has been a cornerstone of injury and violence prevention, actively working to safeguard individuals and communities. A substantial portion, approximately 80%, of its funding is directly allocated to states and localities.

These funds underpin critical frontline services that protect families, veterans, and first responders. The Safe States Alliance, led by Gilmartin, collaborates with the Injury Center daily, underscoring its indispensable role in public safety.

The Impact of Injury Center Funding

The funding provided by the Injury Center has a tangible and widespread impact on daily life. It ensures children are secured safely in their car seats and protects them from drowning hazards at swimming pools. The center's initiatives also empower coaches to identify and respond effectively to concussions and other brain injuries among young athletes.

Furthermore, its efforts are instrumental in saving lives from suicide and drug overdoses across all age groups. A testament to its effectiveness, overdose deaths in the U.S. saw a significant decline of 27% in 2024. The Injury Center possesses a unique reach and impact in injury prevention, unmatched by any other federal agency.

A Coalition Rises to the Challenge

Despite its proven track record, the administration sought to eliminate the Injury Center. Recognizing the gravity of this threat, public health advocates mobilized to save the center that had, for decades, saved countless lives. This collective effort led to the formation of the Keep America Safe Coalition.

Comprising over 50 national organizations, including philanthropies, universities, health agencies, and research centers, the coalition united to champion the Injury Center’s survival. Their strategy extended beyond Washington, D.C., emphasizing the center's profound impact on ordinary Americans achieving extraordinary things in their communities. These include initiatives like the Peer Initiative in Lake Charles, La. for suicide prevention, the Claire Bear Foundation in Tacoma, Wash. focused on reducing infant mortality, and the Brain Injury Center in Lincoln, Neb. providing brain injury training. The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma in Chicago also relies on this work to optimize trauma center placement and staffing.