Science and Health in Chaos

The past year has seen science and medicine tangled in a web of political decisions that leave many questions unanswered. Governments have cut funding for research, sending scientists and universities into a crisis of trust and resources. Key agencies that once guided public health have been reorganized or shut down, while new departments dismiss their work as “woke” or wasteful. A former leader now runs the health department, a role that raises concerns about expertise and priorities. The Office of Management and Budget slowed down funding for the National Science Foundation and the NIH, making it harder for projects to finish. The newly created Department of Government Efficiency fired thousands from the FDA and CDC in a process described as chaotic and unfair. These moves do not simply reduce costs; they erode the knowledge base that powers everyday conveniences like air conditioning, the internet, vaccines and gene editing.The NIH alone has historically turned every dollar into multiple dollars of economic return, yet its future looks uncertain. Critics argue that rebuilding these institutions will be harder than dismantling them, especially if the public loses confidence in their purpose. Some officials paint scientists as elitist and their work as overly political, ignoring the evidence that science can solve health problems. One expert noted that we know a lot about improving public health, but current policies do not reflect that knowledge. The long-term effects of this shift could mean fewer breakthroughs, less reliable public health guidance and a weaker science system overall. Restoring trust and funding will be essential if the country wants to keep benefiting from scientific progress.