Cuts to science & research
A deliberate war on knowledge
From pediatric cancer research to respiratory vaccine funding to fueling the worst measles epidemic in decades–the safety of our families and our kids is under assault by rank incompetence and cruel indifference.
The facts are clear
Science and public health are under attack
Lifesaving research and fundamental medical science are being defunded and destabilized. These reductions not only impede innovation but also directly impact patients awaiting treatment and families seeking answers. When scientific efforts are marginalized, community health and safety decline.
01
74,000 patients disrupted
An estimated 74,000 patients have been affected by disruptions to clinical trials. These studies cover critical conditions, including brain cancer, heart disease, and other life-threatening illnesses. For many participants, halted trials mean delayed care, lost treatment options, and renewed uncertainty.
02
1,000+ grants terminated
The cancellation of more than 1,000 NIH grants has led to the shutdown of over 160 clinical trials. These terminations stall scientific progress and undermine years of research investment. The ripple effects reach patients, researchers, and entire hospital systems.
03
5,000 diagnosed children
Each year, approximately 5,000 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with brain tumors. Research networks like the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium stopped taking new patients in 2025 due to funding instability. For families facing devastating diagnoses, these cuts remove critical pathways to treatment and hope.
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Learn more about the war on knowledge
Download our one-page explainer that details what the administration is doing, it’s impact, and the ways to get involved.
What we know
A reckless war on science and knowledge
Lifesaving scientific research, ranging from heart disease prevention to domestic violence studies, is being significantly reduced. These funding cuts have direct consequences for families, patients, and frontline healthcare providers. Weakening research efforts compromises both health systems and public safety infrastructure.
// Proposed cuts
Major cuts to national health institutions
The Administration has attempted to slash roughly 50% from the CDC and 40% from the NIH. These are the core institutions responsible for tracking disease, funding medical breakthroughs, and guiding national health responses. Cuts at this scale would cripple the country’s ability to prevent and respond to public health threats.
// Workforce loss
Thousands laid off
Thousands of employees, including senior researchers and specialized scientific staff, have been laid off from the NIH, CDC, and FDA. These reductions significantly diminish institutional expertise accumulated over decades. The departure of experienced scientists and regulators weakens the nation’s capacity to protect public health.
// Safety research
Prevention funding cancelled
An NIH grant supporting early-career clinicians working to prevent intimate partner violence against pregnant women was canceled. Homicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant and postpartum women, making this research critical to saving lives. At the same time, rape crisis centers have faced funding freezes, further destabilizing essential services.
Read more from Wren Collective →
// Disease resurgence
Measles is back
The United States is experiencing its largest measles outbreak since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. Measles is highly contagious and entirely preventable through vaccination. The resurgence signals a weakening public health infrastructure and declining vaccination confidence.
// Vaccine integrity
Shredding vaccine science
Federal agencies tasked with researching and promoting vaccination are increasingly influenced by anti-vaccine activists rather than career public health professionals. This shift undermines trust in science-based guidance. When expertise is replaced with ideology, preventable diseases spread and communities become less safe.
Latest resources & news
Cruel and stupid are a deadly combination
Horror stories from around the country as these cuts and policies unleash real danger in our communities
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