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Alzheimer’s research is latest casualty in Trump administration war against ‘DEI’
The Guardian • • health
Key Points:
- The Trump administration has canceled at least three NIH grants worth $15 million at Emory University and the University of Pittsburgh, targeting research on how racism and discrimination impact long-term brain health and Alzheimer's disease risk.
- Researchers argue the cancellations reflect political interference and a misunderstanding of epidemiological methods, criticizing the administration's rejection of self-reported survey data as unscientific.
- These cancellations follow previous administration moves to cut billions from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-related research, which faced legal challenges and mixed court rulings.
- The canceled studies focused on structural and social determinants of Alzheimer's risk, particularly in African American communities disproportionately affected by dementia.
- NIH leadership cited a lack of alignment with NIH priorities and insufficiently objective, measurable variables as reasons for termination, despite researchers emphasizing the scientific validity of their methods and outcomes.
