STAT+: NIH director calls Trump\u2019s anti-DEI orders \u2018misunderstood,\u2019 downplays reorganization plans
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National Institutes of Health director Jay Bhattacharya on Monday asserted that the agency remains committed to research that advances the health of minorities \u2014 despite the Trump administration\u2019s sharp focus on rolling back programs dealing with diversity, equity, and inclusion.<\/p>\n
Bhattacharya said that President Trump\u2019s executive orders, which state that DEI programs are illegal and discriminatory<\/a> and direct federal agencies to terminate any of their own such programs<\/a>, are \u201cmisunderstood.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think that [the orders are] aimed at stopping fundamental research that advances the health and wellbeing of minority populations. I wouldn\u2019t have accepted this job if that was the case,\u201d he said. \u201cI think that the health and wellbeing of minority populations, as well as every American, are a central focus of the NIH and will continue to be under my watch.\u201d<\/p>\n Continue to STAT+ to read the full story\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n