The Gist The NIH vs. The New Grievance Politics
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Aug 1, 2025 
Elias Zerhouni, former director of the NIH and author of 'Disease Knows No Politics,' critiques current funding cuts threatening scientific progress. He defends the NIH's legacy against contemporary critiques and discusses the need for transparency in health communication. The conversation shifts to the decline of late-night TV and the impact of societal trends on media narratives. Zerhouni also humorously touches on the eccentricities of celebrity memorabilia auctions, highlighting the strange allure of bidding on items owned by icons like Larry King.
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NIH's Public Disconnect
- Society has grown distrustful of science unlike the Sputnik era's huge support.
- NIH struggles to connect with the public beyond patient groups and experts.
Impact of NIH Budget Cuts
- NIH budget cuts reduce scientific workforce drastically, with 7,500 fewer scientists supported per $1 billion cut.
- A proposed 40% NIH cut may remove around 100,000 researchers fighting health challenges.
Cardiovascular Research Saves Millions
- Cardiovascular research halved annual deaths from 1.5 million to 500,000 since 1975.
- NIH investment of $4-5 per American per year saved about a million lives annually.
