The Trump administration has announced a halt to funding for research into the health impacts of climate change at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), despite mounting evidence of climate-related health risks. This decision follows a directive to NIH staff last week, which likely ends new funding opportunities for studies on climate change and health, although it is unclear if active grants will be affected.
The move comes after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) stopped funding three existing climate and health programs at NIH, including the Climate Change and Health Initiative launched in 2021. This initiative supported research on health effects from wildfires, heat stress, and mosquito-borne virus transmissions.
Public health advocates warn that these actions will undermine efforts to protect Americans from extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. Climate change is linked to worsening air quality, increased heatwaves, and more frequent severe storms, all of which pose significant health risks.
“This is a direct attack on our health, on the science that keeps us protected,” said Juan Declet-Barreto, a senior scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists. The decision aligns with President Trump’s broader agenda to reduce climate-related funding and roll back environmental regulations, actions that have been criticized for prioritizing industry interests over public health.
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