Many of Trump’s initial blows were to the public health community. Hanover resident and medical researcher, Michael Miles explains:
For those that might not have heard, one of the major actions taken by the Trump administration within the last week was the imposition of a gag order on all health-related federal agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health. This order prevents NIH employees from communicating with those submitting, reviewing or receiving federal research grants. This has created major confusion and anxiety since all grantees, at universities or research facilities across the country, are uncertain about their funding. At the very least, this order will delay the funding or review of many awards, thus leading to possible layoffs for staff and delays in critical research such as that related to cancer, infectious disease, heart disease and other areas. The stated reason for such delays is so that the new administration can review every funded proposal to make sure they are consistent with Trump priorities. In other words, the administration wants to insure that no research is done outside their own uninformed areas of interest, rather than letting scientific discovery guide the direction of the research.
-------------
Michael F. Miles, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, VCU Alcohol Research Center
Professor, Departments of Pharmacology and Neurology
Virginia Commonwealth University
As noted this action caused confusion and chaos throughout the public health community last week. Also the executive order to eliminate any diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within the federal government could effect research on racial and sex-related differences to medical care.
In another attack on public health Trump announced that the U.S. will withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO was broadly criticized for its handling of the Covid response and reforms are in order, but without WHO we are isolating ourselves from potential benefits and information that might help us identify risks and respond to future global health threats.
And, to raise further concern, Trump’s nominee to to lead Health and Human Services, J. F. Kennedy, Jr., is a man with no healthcare training or management experience, who seems to disrespect science and dabble in conspiracy theories.
Call our Republican Congressmen (Rob Witman 202-225-4261 or 804-730-6595 and John McGuire 202-225-4711) and remind them that health policy affects Republicans and Democrats, alike, and it makes people angry to see politics interfere with scientific and medical best practices. Tell them voters will remember their silence on these matters of life and death.
