CNN 5 Things One Thing: Inside Trump’s ‘Dangerous’ Health Research Cuts
Apr 13, 2025
Katie Edwards, a University of Michigan Professor of Social Work and director of the Interpersonal Violence Research Laboratory, dives into the alarming cuts in health research funding under the Trump administration. She reveals how anti-DEI policies have led to the defunding of critical trials aimed at preventing sexual violence in LGBTQ+ populations. Personal anecdotes highlight the emotional toll on researchers and the ethical dilemmas posed by halted studies. Edwards emphasizes the urgent need for community resilience amid these funding challenges.
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Six Terminations
- Katie Edwards received six NIH grant terminations in a few weeks.
- The first termination notice arrived after an eye doctor appointment.
Termination Reasons
- The grant terminations are primarily due to "gender ideology" and DEI concerns.
- The termination letters state that this research doesn't benefit most Americans.
Winding Down Studies
- Edwards had to wind down studies ethically, prioritizing participant safety.
- One study involved a mentoring program for transgender youth, which had to be altered.