Health experts are sounding the alarm about how Trump's travel restrictions—targeting 19 countries—could throw a wrench into global health collaboration. The ban might block researchers, doctors, and public health workers from sharing critical knowledge, slowing down responses to outbreaks and stifling medical progress. It’s not just about politics; it’s about whether life-saving science gets stuck at the border.

South Africa had become a leader in cutting-edge medical research, particularly in HIV and tuberculosis, thanks to years of investment and collaboration. But recent funding cuts by the Trump administration—slashing nearly $50 million in U.S. support—have gutted critical programs, shuttered labs, and left scientists scrambling. The damage threatens not just South Africa’s progress but global health efforts, especially in fighting diseases that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.

A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration's cuts to NIH grants targeting minority and LGBTQ+ communities were illegal, calling them discriminatory. The judge ordered the government to reinstate most of the funding, siding with advocates who argued the cuts unfairly harmed marginalized groups.