Earlier this year, Selena Pe?a was helping Kern County residents adopt healthier lifestyles through a nutrition and fitness program. She had been part of a public health team working to reduce obesity and heart disease.
But in July, the county canceled the program due to a $12.5 million loss in federal public health funding—one of many healthcare cuts in California.
The Trump administration’s federal funding cuts and freezes have led to significant reductions in essential healthcare services in counties like Kern, Orange, Los Angeles, and Long Beach.
Health departments have closed clinics, discontinued family planning services, reduced vaccination appointments, and laid off dozens of staff.
Local health leaders warned that the funding losses would lead to increased illness, higher healthcare costs, and fewer options for residents.
Kern County, which has the highest diabetes mortality rate in California and where more than 78% of adults are overweight or obese, has been particularly hard hit.
One of the services now being discontinued is the county’s “Know Your Numbers” program, which tracked residents’ health metrics and offered free diet and exercise classes.
In Orange County, the health department faced a $13.7 million loss and closed key dental and family planning clinics. Local officials argued these cuts would impact the most vulnerable and undermine efforts to address the public health crisis.
As California grapples with federal budget cuts, many local health departments are bracing for additional challenges, including a projected $1.85 billion deficit for Los Angeles County Health Services by 2029. With fewer resources available for essential services, California’s public health infrastructure is facing increasing strain.