The US federal health department is facing chaos as thousands of workers have been laid off and numerous programs shut down due to budget cuts. The impact on scientists, researchers, and the general public is significant.
Lab leaders at the NIH are scrambling to buy food for animals, while FDA employees are bracing for fewer inspections. A team of STAT reporters spoke with over 20 employees across HHS and its subagencies, describing an “existential” upheaval.
Meanwhile, a pig kidney transplant has been removed from the third recipient after a record 130 days. The recipient, Towana Looney, is recovering well but will be on dialysis again.
The cuts at the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health have raised concerns about the future of initiatives aimed at preventing tobacco use and identifying trends in tobacco consumption. Experts warn that this could lead to increased harm for public health.
Researchers at USC have made a breakthrough in understanding the mechanisms behind autism symptoms, finding an association between gut metabolites and autism symptoms among children.
A new statement from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine emphasizes the importance of sleepiness as a critical patient-reported outcome associated with adverse health effects. The statement calls for more research to improve treatment for sleep disorders.
As the US health department navigates these challenges, experts worry that the losses could fundamentally alter what science and public health will look like in the future.
Source: https://www.statnews.com/2025/04/14/health-news-nih-fda-autism-cause-gut-health-excessive-sleepiness-morning-rounds