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Surprising as it may be, it seems there are quite a few bikers among the readers of STAT. I appreciate all the advice I received yesterday. However, before I hit the road, let’s dive into the news for the next couple of days.
Federal Judge Rules Hundreds of NIH Grant Terminations Are ‘Void and Illegal’
A federal judge has declared some grant terminations by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as “void and illegal” during a recent hearing involving two lawsuits against the Trump administration. Judge William G. Young expressed frustration at the NIH for not having a formal definition of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) despite terminating numerous grants in that area. This decision, subject to appeal, provides a temporary win for researchers nationwide who have been impacted by significant changes at the largest public funder of biomedical research.
Brittany Charlton, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and a plaintiff in one of the lawsuits, shared her reaction to the judge’s decision. She remarked, “It was so, so powerful to hear the judge’s pretty strongly worded response. I think his words really remind us that the promise of fairness and scientific integrity can’t be subject to the whims of politics.” For more details on this ruling, read Anil’s coverage.
Dismissed ACIP Members Express Concern About the Future
Seventeen former members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), who were abruptly fired recently, published a commentary in JAMA expressing deep concerns about the future of the U.S. vaccine program. They criticized the dismissals as destabilizing decisions made without clear rationale, which have weakened the vaccine program and put families at risk of preventable illnesses.
The authors highlighted the transparency of ACIP as a federal committee in the past, emphasizing rigorous reporting on conflicts of interest and succession procedures to ensure continuity. They also presented data showing the significant impact of routine vaccination on preventing illness and saving lives and costs.
16,642
A new analysis published in the Annals of Internal Medicine projects that if key healthcare provisions, including proposed Medicaid cuts and ACA marketplace reforms, are implemented under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, there could be 16,642 preventable deaths annually. The analysis also forecasts that 7.6 million people may lose insurance coverage. Explore Marissa’s in-depth coverage for more insights on these alarming numbers.
Reprieve for Two CDC Labs Facing Closure
Good news for the staff of two CDC labs initially set for closure as they have been informed that their terminations have been cancelled. Last week, employees of the CDC’s sexually transmitted disease and viral hepatitis labs received emails reversing their dismissals. While this is a positive development, there is still uncertainty about future working conditions and the possibility of further cuts down the line. Read Helen’s article for more details.
Insights on Fetal Mortality Rates
The latest data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics reveals that there were 20,005 fetal deaths at or after 20 weeks of pregnancy in the U.S. in 2023, resulting in a rate of 5.53 deaths per 1,000 live births. Although this rate is not significantly different from the previous year, early fetal deaths between 20-27 weeks of gestation saw a 4% increase, the first statistically significant rise since 2014.
Fetal mortality rates were highest in 2023 for Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Black parents, while Asian parents had the lowest rate. This data brings to mind a previous STAT story from 2023, where concerns were raised about pressure on pathologists studying pregnancy loss to provide definitive cause of death determinations in the post-Dobbs era.
Private Equity Investment in Harvard Research Lab
Amid severe funding cuts from the Trump administration, Harvard University has secured private equity financing for one of its biological research labs. The collaboration also involves launching a biotech company to develop therapies for metabolic conditions. While this deal may seem modest in the realm of investment banking, it offers crucial capital during a time of uncertainty in funding scientific research. Discover more about this unique partnership in Allison’s report.
Recommended Reads
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Purdue Pharma and Sacklers reach new $7.4 billion opioid settlement – NPR
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This historian envisions the future of trans healthcare – them
- After second Sarepta death, Duchenne muscular dystrophy community faces recrimination and worry – STAT
- ‘A bloodbath’: Doctors describe devastation at Iran’s hospitals after Israeli strikes – The Guardian
- China emerges as a hub for weight loss drug trials despite low obesity levels – STAT
