Former surgeon general: America needs a better discourse on DEI Equity-focused policies make the U.S. health care system more effective and affordable for all

https://www.statnews.com/2025/02/04/dei-ban-former-surgeon-general-seeks-better-discourse-on-controversial-issue/?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9JXgZrQqbAuMWHOkrEKN6tnpa9Cy4dLXxn-w1d0AxP97oIQjVd55kLtlOuiOlD-CUdPp77YmFeDMFu9FER9m-NUqCsuA&_hsmi=345746664&utm_content=345746664&utm_source=hs_email NIH study sections are back on Yesterday morning, the NIH hosted the first study section to review grant applications in more than two weeks, after an abrupt and indefinite pause by the Trump administration, STAT’s Megan Molteni and Anil Oza report. These meetings — in which experts consider if the agency should support proposed research — are a core part of how the agency fulfills its mission to improve human health and reduce illness and disease. While these meetings have resumed, the external communications pause appears to still be in effect, as the Trump administration gets more of its political appointees in place at various health and science agencies. Read more from Megan and Anil. The communications pause was just one of the administrative actions that led to chaos in scientific research communities last week. Another was the call to end programs promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. In a First Opinion essay published yesterday, former U.S. surgeon general Jerome Adams takes a nuanced stance on the order, arguing that “our country deserves a far better discourse on DEI.” Read the piece.