LISTEN: Fewer breakthroughs. Weaker responses to public health crises. That\u2019s what some former National Institutes of Health scientists predict for the agency as thousands of researchers leave. Workers from the Washington, D.C., region spoke with KFF Health News senior correspondent Rachana Pradhan, and she appeared on WAMU\u2019s \u201cHealth Hub\u201d on March 18 to explain what\u2019s behind the exodus.<\/p>\n
The past year has been rough for the National Institutes of Health, which underwent cuts to its workforce and research funding. Now, the NIH is facing a new challenge: brain drain<\/a>.<\/p>\n Thousands of employees totaling about 20% of the agency\u2019s staff have left in the tumult of President Donald Trump\u2019s second term. Some scientists fear this exodus will mean fewer new treatments and diminish the government\u2019s ability to respond to disease outbreaks and other public health crises.<\/p>\n KFF Health News senior correspondent Rachana Pradhan appeared on WAMU\u2019s \u201cHealth Hub\u201d to explain why some scientists decided to quit or retire early, and what it could mean for the future of biomedical research in the United States.<\/p>\n Katheryn Houghton contributed reporting.<\/em><\/p>\n\n KFF Health News<\/a> is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF\u2014an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF<\/a>.<\/p>\nUSE OUR CONTENT<\/h3>\n