‘Clear retribution’: dismay as key Alzheimer’s study cancelled amid Trump attacks on science
Summary
A long-term Alzheimer’s research study involving mostly Black, low-income communities in Pittsburgh has been canceled due to funding cuts by President Donald Trump’s administration. The study collected detailed health and life data over 15 years, and its end may prevent participants from receiving important information about Alzheimer’s disease and delay diagnosis in a high-risk group.Key Facts
- The Alzheimer’s study, called the “Phresh” study, lasted 15 years and focused on two majority Black neighborhoods in Pittsburgh.
- The study originally started by looking at access to healthy food but expanded to include cognitive health and Alzheimer’s disease.
- Around 600 people took part in detailed surveys, wore sleep and fitness trackers, and completed cognitive tests.
- Researchers planned to provide participants with feedback on their cognitive health but cannot due to the study’s sudden end.
- Alzheimer’s disease affects about 7 million people in the U.S., with Black Americans having nearly twice the risk compared to white Americans.
- Past research often ignored racial differences, with most studies focusing on wealthy white participants and few reporting data by race.
- The study’s data showed that factors like poverty and discrimination, not just individual health, increase the risk of Alzheimer’s in Black communities.
- Funding cuts under the current administration led to the termination of this and many other research projects nationwide.
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