Halts to external communications, publishing reports and reviewing and approving research a ‘dramatic shift’

Summary

The second Trump administration has implemented sweeping restrictions on US health agencies, banning nearly all travel, halting new contracts, grants, and medical research, and freezing global health funding, including work with the WHO.

Agencies like the CDC and FDA are unable to respond effectively to crises, including the H5N1 bird flu outbreak.

The NIH’s research freeze jeopardizes cancer studies and the broader biomedical sector, which sustains over 400,000 jobs.

Experts warn these moves will delay outbreak responses, harm public health, and stall scientific progress.