Month: May 2025

US President Donald Trump’s administration cut cancer research funding by 31 percent in the first three months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to a Senate report released Tuesday that accuses the White House of waging a “war on science.”

The analysis, commissioned by the leftwing Senator Bernie Sanders, found that at least $13.5 billion in health funding had been terminated as of April, including 1,660 grants, while thousands of scientific staff were fired.

Among the hardest hit was the National Cancer Institute, which lost more than $300 million from January to March compared to 2024, driving inflation-adjusted grant funding to its lowest level in over a decade. Its parent agency, the National Institutes of Health, lost $2.7 billion.

“Since January, Trump has launched an unprecedented, illegal and outrageous attack on science and scientists,” said Sanders, the ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

“Trump is not only denying scientific truth but actively seeking to undermine it.”

The Health and Human Services department, led by vaccine-skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr, hit back.

“Senator Sanders’ claim of a ‘war on science’ is unequivocally false. The report released by his office today is a politically motivated distortion that undermines the thousands of dedicated public health professionals across HHS, who remain steadfast in their commitment to delivering results for the American people,” the department said on X.

Under Kennedy’s leadership, “HHS is streamlining programs, eliminating redundancies, and — above all else — prioritizing gold standard science,” it added.

‘Complete chaos’ 
The report, based on interviews with dozens of federal scientists and health workers, paints a picture of disarray across HHS.

At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 175 public health datasets were deleted, leaving doctors “without vetted guidance on how to treat patients,” one physician said.

A 43-year-old colorectal cancer patient, already treated with surgery, radiation, and 48 rounds of chemotherapy, said her participation in a T-cell therapy trial at the NIH was delayed due to staff shortages.

“The reality is that by reducing money and staff, the NIH will not be able to produce my treatment — and it might cost me my life,” she told Senate staff.

At the NIH Clinical Center, researchers described “complete chaos” after entire labs were dismissed. “This administration has a lot of blood on their hands,” said one. “We just want to take care of people.”

The report also highlighted the dangers of misinformation amid a growing measles outbreak, which has infected more than 1,000 people and killed three. Over 40 grants studying vaccine hesitancy have been canceled.

Meanwhile, Kennedy has hired vaccine conspiracy theorist David Geier, previously disciplined for practicing medicine without a license and testing unproven drugs on autistic children, to investigate an alleged connection between vaccines and autism, debunked by dozens of prior studies.

Even as Trump proposes a 26 percent cut to the HHS budget next year, he has earmarked $500 million for Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, which targets nutrition, physical activity, and “over-reliance on medication.” AFP

US trade policy has seen notable changes recently, particularly with regard to import tariffs on countries such as China. Though these policies are usually justified by economic and geopolitical considerations, they also impact other areas, including the medical device industry and, more specifically, medical tourism. One growing outcome is how these tariffs are affecting medical tourism—the practice of traveling to another country to receive healthcare services. As medical expenses continue to climb in the US, a growing number of patients are looking overseas for more cost-effective treatment options, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

The US has imposed steep tariffs on a range of medical products imported from China, including syringes and needles, rubber medical and surgical gloves, and facemasks. These items are integral to a wide variety of medical procedures and daily healthcare operations. The imposition of tariffs on such goods has disrupted supply chains, constrained hospital procurement strategies, and driven up the cost of healthcare delivery across the US.

In response to these rising costs, a growing number of Americans are turning to medical tourism. Popular destinations include Mexico, India, Thailand, and Costa Rica, which offer competitive pricing and internationally accredited healthcare facilities. For example, the average cost of a knee replacement surgery in the US can exceed $50,000, but the same procedure in India or Mexico can be performed for $8000-$12,000. As US healthcare providers face increased operational costs due to tariffs – especially on imported surgical instruments, diagnostic equipment, and protective gear – the price gap between domestic and international care continues to widen, creating a financial incentive for patients to consider treatment overseas.

Alexandra Murdoch, Senior Medical Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “While the intended impact of tariffs may not have been to effect healthcare, they do shape patient behavior. The rise in the cost of medical devices ultimately leads to more out-of-pocket expenses for patients.”

US tariffs on medical imports are reshaping not only international trade relationships but also domestic healthcare economics. The direct result is an increase in the cost of medical care, which disproportionately affects uninsured and underinsured populations. One of the most notable responses to these price pressures has been a rise in outbound medical tourism. Patients are seeking high-quality, affordable care in countries that are not impacted by these tariffs — a trend that is likely to continue if current trade and healthcare cost trajectories remain unchanged.

Murdoch concludes: “This dynamic highlights a deeper connection between global trade policy and patient access to care. As the US continues to adjust its economic strategy, it will be important for policymakers and healthcare leaders to consider the downstream impacts on medical accessibility, affordability, and patient behavior.” GlobalData

The India cardiovascular devices market is projected to grow from USD 2,075.98 million in 2024 to an estimated USD 4,580.91 million based on 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) 9.2% from 2025 to 2032. This growth reflects a robust demand for advanced cardiovascular solutions across both public and private healthcare sectors.

Key market drivers include a growing elderly population, lifestyle changes leading to higher cardiovascular risks, and increasing access to health insurance and affordable care. The government’s focus on expanding healthcare coverage under initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat and the promotion of indigenous medical device manufacturing under the “Make in India” program are further enhancing market accessibility and affordability. Technological advancements, particularly in interventional cardiology and remote monitoring, continue to shape the market’s evolution.

Regionally, metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru lead in terms of cardiovascular device adoption due to higher awareness, better infrastructure, and specialized cardiac centers. However, tier-2 and tier-3 cities are witnessing rapid improvements in healthcare delivery, widening the market reach. Key players operating in the India cardiovascular devices market include Medtronic plc, Abbott Laboratories, Boston Scientific Corporation, GE HealthCare, and Philips India, all of which are actively expanding their product portfolios and local partnerships.

Market drivers
Rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and associated risk factors
India is witnessing a sharp increase in the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which has become a major public health concern. The burden of ischemic heart disease, stroke, and heart failure has surged due to sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary habits, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and rising obesity rates. For instance, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases accounted for 27% of total deaths in India in 2016, making them the leading cause of mortality. Additionally, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) reports that CVDs contribute significantly to the country’s disease burden. Urbanization has accelerated this trend, as it brings with it lifestyle transitions that elevate cardiovascular risk. This rising disease burden has spurred significant demand for a wide range of cardiovascular devices, including diagnostic equipment, interventional tools such as angioplasty catheters and stents, implantable devices like pacemakers and defibrillators, and monitoring solutions. The increasing incidence of comorbid conditions such as diabetes and hypertension further exacerbates cardiovascular risks, prompting early screening and continuous monitoring. As the disease pattern shifts toward non-communicable diseases, healthcare providers are adopting advanced cardiovascular technologies to manage patient outcomes effectively, thereby strengthening the market demand for innovative devices.

Government initiatives and growing healthcare infrastructure
The Indian government’s strategic focus on healthcare access and affordability has significantly boosted the cardiovascular devices market. Programs such as Ayushman Bharat, the world’s largest publicly funded health insurance scheme, have brought advanced cardiac treatments within reach for millions. For instance, the National Health Mission and the expansion of government-funded tertiary care hospitals are further strengthening infrastructure for non-communicable disease management. Simultaneously, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) supports the reimbursement of cardiac procedures, including surgeries and implants, thereby driving demand for devices. Moreover, government incentives under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and the Make in India initiative have encouraged domestic manufacturing of medical devices, including cardiovascular solutions. This reduces reliance on imports and makes devices more accessible and cost-effective. Several state governments have also partnered with private healthcare players to expand diagnostic and interventional cardiology services in underserved regions. Collectively, these policy efforts and investments have not only enhanced the availability of cardiovascular care but have also fueled robust market growth for related devices.

Technological advancements and product innovation
Rapid technological advancements in cardiovascular diagnostics and therapeutics have revolutionized patient care and propelled market expansion in India. The development of minimally invasive procedures, such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), drug-eluting stents (DES), and image-guided interventions, has made complex cardiac treatments saf