【环球财经】美公共卫生领域联名信批评特朗普削减资金

Core Viewpoint - The letter from over 60 current employees of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) criticizes President Donald Trump's significant cuts to research funding, claiming these policies endanger public health and politicize scientific research, wasting public resources [1][2]. Group 1: Funding Cuts and Impact - Since Trump's inauguration on January 20, the NIH has halted 2,100 planned grants totaling $9.5 billion, with an additional $2.6 billion in contracts canceled, which typically support various NIH operations [1]. - The suspension of these grants and projects has wasted years of work and millions of dollars, putting patient health at risk, as exemplified by a halted project on multi-drug resistant tuberculosis in Haiti [1]. - A specific project costing $5 million was 80% complete when it was stopped, resulting in a waste of $4 million rather than saving $1 million [1]. Group 2: Employee Response and Institutional Changes - The letter, signed by 92 NIH employees, including researchers and project leaders, is a rare public criticism of the government, with 250 additional employees expressing support anonymously [1][2]. - NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya stated that the letter reflects a "fundamental misunderstanding" of recent policy directions but acknowledged that dissent can be constructive [2]. - Since the restructuring of U.S. health agencies by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, nearly 5,000 NIH employees and contractors have been laid off, indicating significant changes within the institution [2].