Public health agencies have seen a staggering exodus of personnel, many exhausted and demoralized, in part because of abuse and threats. Dozens of departments reported that they had not staffed up at all, but actually lost employees. … Legislators have approved more than 100 new laws — with hundreds more under consideration — that limit state and local health powers. … Large segments of the public have also turned against agencies, voting in new local government leaders who ran on pledges to rein in public health departments.