NASA plays a crucial role in advancing public health research, providing critical data and insights on disease outbreaks, climate change, and environmental pollution. However, the Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts to the agency could have devastating consequences for this vital work.
The Earth Sciences Division, which tracks the effects of climate change on groundwater levels, wildfires, and global temperature trends, is under threat. This division has funded research that has helped scientists study the impact of environmental changes on respiratory diseases, cognitive decline in the elderly, and preterm birth.
Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness, is another area where NASA data is being used to track its spread across the landscape. Researchers are using satellite imagery and computer modeling to create maps of Lyme’s presence and movement.
NASA also provides critical data for tracking air pollution and particulate matter, which is essential for understanding the impact of climate change on health hazards. The agency’s Health and Air Quality Applied Sciences Team has developed tools that can predict cholera outbreak risks in countries like Bangladesh.
The proposed budget cuts could axe programs within NASA’s Earth sciences division, including those focused on monitoring climate change and environmental pollution. If these programs are lost, the impact will be vast, with serious consequences for public health.
Several experts, including Rep. Zoe Lofgren, have spoken out against the proposed budget cuts, arguing that they would harm Americans and jeopardize the future of rising generations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also partnered with NASA on climate research, but it did not comment on the proposal.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Geological Survey may take over some of the NASA’s Earth sciences division functions, but this would be a significant realignment of resources. Some conservative policy thinkers have called for a dramatic realignment of NASA spending, prioritizing space exploration over climate research.
Despite concerns about funding, many scientists believe that NASA’s work in public health is essential and should remain within the agency’s mission. The agency’s data and expertise are critical for advancing our understanding of the impact of climate change on human health, and cutting these programs would be a step backward.
Source: https://www.fastcompany.com/91388577/how-cuts-to-nasa-could-hurt-everyday-americans