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health21h ago
The war on science: resisting and rebuilding at a crucial juncture
Aidsmap.com and 1 more
- The 2025-2026 period is described as an ‘annus horribilis’ for HIV science and activism, signaling deep political and funding pressures that threaten progress.
- Activists warn that cuts to funding, job losses, and political interference risk essential health programs like PEPFAR and USAID, amplifying health inequities.
- The US government’s large-scale civil service cuts in healthcare agencies marked the largest reduction in the federal workforce to date, heightening health equity concerns.
- Community and scientists have rebuilt alliances, turning science into a shared cultural framework that guides demands and activism.
- Despite setbacks, NIH grants faced reinstatement and accelerated reviews after legal actions, signaling resilience in the funding landscape.
- Activists advocate for strategic, mixed-action approaches, combining high-impact demonstrations with everyday mobilization to defend science.
- Researchers report political pressure pushing some to scrub grant applications of terms like diversity and equity, signaling risk to inclusive science.
- Stand Up for Science and allied groups mobilized to defend public health, emphasizing the value of reliable information as a form of activism.
- Staley frames activism as historically linked to pivotal moments, suggesting a future rebound through renewed innovation and policy momentum.
- The 2028 presidential landscape is being urged to include pledges to resurrect USAID and rebuild PEPFAR, tying election commitments to revival of core health programs.
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