NIOSH cuts halted a first-of-its-kind firefighter cancer study
Reporting and findings
- reported
ProPublica found the NIOSH layoffs would halt a firefighter cancer study and disrupt the National Firefighter Registry, which had enrolled more than 23,000 participants toward a 200,000-person goal.
- ProPublica: Trump Laid Off Nearly All the Federal Workers Who Investigate Firefighter DeathsPassages and source records documenting: NIOSH cuts halted a first-of-its-kind firefighter cancer study
- documented
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was the Trump-appointed health and human services secretary.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.Appointment or biography record identifying Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Trump-appointed health and human services secretary
- documented
Elon Musk was the Trump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work.
- The White House: President Trump participates in a press conference with departing DOGE adviser Elon MuskAppointment or biography record identifying Elon Musk as Trump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work
Summary and current status
The interruption stranded a national registry built to explain occupational cancer risks and prevent future disease.
Research and outreach were halted after team layoffs
People and organizations
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Trump-appointed health and human services secretary
- Elon MuskTrump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work
- Donald J. Trumppresident authorizing the administration action
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Healthworker-safety institute running the cancer registry
Relationships in this file
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.cut staff supporting the firefighter cancer studyNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
- Donald J. TrumpTrump-appointed health and human services secretaryRobert F. Kennedy Jr.
- Donald J. TrumpTrump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE workElon Musk
Figures
Firefighter cancer registry participants at risk of study disruptionmore than 23,000 people Calculation details
- Basis
- Observed
- Population
- National Firefighter Registry enrollees
- Period
- 2023-04-01 to 2025-04-21
- Method
- NIOSH enrollment count reported by ProPublica.
- Uncertainty
- Enrollment is not a count of cancer cases; later staffing restoration could resume the study.