As a hematologist and medical oncologist, I am deeply concerned about the administration’s proposed cuts to the National Institutes of Health and the impact on the health of my patients and the people of New Orleans and h at large.
NIH is the nation’s largest public funder of medical research, and investment in its work has led to incredible innovation in medicine. Childhood leukemia survival rates have improved immensely in the past 30 years because of research that has come from NIH, and new treatments for sickle cell disease, lymphoma and leukemia have given hope to those who might have otherwise run out of treatment options.
h cannot afford cuts to medical research that will put our community at greater risk. Our state has the fourth-highest rate of cancer death in the nation, with significant disparities across populations. For example, men with Cajun ancestry have an 11% greater risk of developing colon cancer than men in other parts of the country.
NIH funds research that aims to understand why these differences may affect patient care. Reducing that support means we’re closing the door to developing new treatments, even cures for cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and other conditions. If the NIH budget is cut, it could stop or delay new treatments from reaching the people who need them the most. Ultimately, our community will pay the price.
Medical advances and breakthroughs depend on sustained support. As Congress prepares to debate the budget, we need our lawmakers to recognize the importance of medical research to the people of our state and fully fund NIH.
CHANCELLOR DONALD
New Orleans
