Millions of Americans are drawn to cities by opportunity, hoping to be connected or experience vibrant and diverse communities. Many essential services and economic opportunities we enjoy today have been shaped by federal scientists researching how to make our cities healthier and safer.
Public servants working for you
Dr. Richard Jackson, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Led comprehensive studies into hundreds of chemicals that we are exposed to in our jobs, cities and homes. This work helped us better understand how these chemicals linger in the human body and can impact our health, like increasing the risk of developing illnesses such as cancer.
The workforce at the Environmental Protection Agency decreased 25% between September 2024 and February 2026, degrading its ability to monitor air quality and pollution in urban areas.
The Department of Commerce pulled back $4 million in funding for climate change research at Princeton University, which focused on topics like coastal flooding that impact many of our largest cities.
New York TimesMassachusetts lost between $47 and $100 million in National Institutes of Health funding between 2024 and 2025, causing an impact on the greater Boston economy as jobs were lost, talent left and universities reduced enrollment caps.
Boston Globe