The ongoing federal government shutdown is posing a threat to public health, according to the American Public Health Association (APHA).

The organization’s executive director, Georges C. Benjamin, identified the Indian Health Service, Food and Drug Administration, parts of the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture as funding losers due to the shutdown.

"With staff furloughed across these agencies, research will be disrupted, regulation will be paused, resources will be unavailable and the shutdown will cost agencies time and money that they won’t be able to make up,” said Georges.

He added that the shutdown is “a political failure,” and said the government should put ideology aside and reach a funding solution as soon as possible.

"We urge those who have used brinksmanship to advance a single ideological cause to do their basic duty as government leaders and approve long-term funding for all federal agencies and programs."