Hundreds of federally funded research projects aimed at understanding and reducing health disparities have been abruptly canceled under the Trump administration’s second term, sparking alarm among scientists and public health advocates.
The National Institutes of Health terminated at least 616 projects focused on closing health gaps between racial and socioeconomic groups. Nearly half of the $913 million in canceled awards had been earmarked for disparities research, including studies on maternal mortality, chronic disease, and access to care in underserved communities.
Many researchers say their work was cut not for lack of merit, but because it included terms like “race,” “gender,” or “equity.” Dr. Kemi Doll, a cancer specialist, said the message was clear: “We do not value health equity.”
One study, canceled and later reinstated, aimed to train doulas to support low-income mothers postpartum. Another, still defunded, sought to understand why Black women face higher risks of adverse birth outcomes by tracking biological aging. “It’s like they erased the problem,” said Dr. Jaime Slaughter-Acey, who is now seeking donations to complete the work.
Critics argue that such research benefits all Americans. Programs originally designed for Black mothers, like sending blood pressure cuffs home after delivery, improved outcomes across racial groups.
While the administration claims to support “all vulnerable populations,” many fear that eliminating targeted research will widen existing health gaps. “Disparity programs ask the question: Who are we missing, and why?” said Dr. Georges Benjamin.
See: “Trump Administration Scraps Research Into Health Disparities” (August 13, 2025)