Sackings come as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr pushes to significantly downsize department.

They also said his statements and actions had sowed mistrust in public institutions that contributed to the recent shooting at the CDC.

Sackings come as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr pushes to significantly downsize department.

US health department did not offer details on lay-offs at the agency. Affected projects included work to prevent rape and child abuse.