In October, NCA signed on to a statement from Maria Lapinski, Director of the Health and Risk Communication Center at Michigan State University, opposing President Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization during the COVID-19 pandemic. The statement reads, in part: “At a time when COVID-19 case counts are rising exponentially in much of the United States and around the world, the U.S. and the world need the leadership of the WHO and global cooperation among health practitioners, researchers, and public health officials more urgently than ever before.”
In October, NCA also signed on to a letter to Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, urging the Trump administration to rescind its elimination of federal employee training programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion. The letter reads in part, “Research shows that there are systemic and cultural aspects of the current R&D ecosystem which negatively contribute to an inclusive and productive career environment. However, specific actions have been identified to address them, including the implementation of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) trainings using an evidence-based approach. Such trainings help employees become more aware of barriers to increased diversity, motivate positive behaviors and attitudes, and improve cognitive skills.”
Full statements and letters can be found on the public policy page of the NCA website.