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Contributed commentary by Dr. Heather Tillewein on cuts to federal funding for health research:
As a professor and public health researcher, I have dedicated my career to contributing to the field of public health through various mechanisms. I have been fortunate to have my research funded to expand my field of study and provide services to communities. One of the projects I collaborated on was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) / National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to reduce the prevalence of HIV, hepatitis C virus, STDs, and overdoses among individuals who inject drugs in rural areas. Our team provided harm reduction resources, testing and other services to individuals in rural areas. Also, the team expanded the program to have a team focused on serving LGBTQ+ and BIPOC populations in these rural areas.
Another project, funded by a Student Research Grant, enabled me to mentor an undergraduate student investigating the environmental impact of cemetery waste. This student was an undergraduate who was able to research cemetery waste and the environmental impact that environmental waste may have on the general population. This work led to a first-authored publication and helped launch their professional career.
Through funding from the Tennessee Department of Health, provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), I investigated healthcare-acquired infections in Tennessee hospitals. The project allowed the research team to see if more education is needed for our nurses, if proper prevention protocols are in place at our local hospitals, if healthcare-acquired infections are being diagnosed correctly, etc. This grant not only informed better prevention protocols but also employed undergraduate and graduate students, providing them with real-world experience and an opportunity to develop their research skills. None of these projects and opportunities would be possible without funding.
The current administration threatens research by eliminating federal funds and grants to academic institutions. NIH funding has been an integral component in supporting local Tennesseans’ health. In 2024, the NIH provided Tennessee with $819 million in total funding, 1,312 grants, and created 48,300 jobs in bioscience. The loss of this funding will negatively impact the health of thousands of Tennesseans.
These cuts would reduce or eliminate graduate research assistantships, reduce or eliminate current and future research at academic institutions and jobs supported under grants, reduce the services/resources provided to local communities, and negatively impact health outcomes in our local areas. I urge individuals to contact their state representatives to not support legislation that impacts funding to health and biomedical initiatives.
Heather Tillewein, Ph.D., MCHES, Assistant Professor, Austin Peay State University