Roderick Blair, a 70-year-old retired emergency preparedness worker from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was taken by surprise when researchers showed up at his home in the Homewood neighborhood. The area was marked by signs of urban decay—broken windows, boarded-up doors, and crumbling sidewalks. Blair had been randomly selected to take part in a study on healthy eating, but he was initially hesitant. His skepticism was rooted in a history of mistrust, particularly concerning how Black individuals have sometimes been treated in medical research. Over time, however, he grew confident in the researchers’ intentions and participated in various data collection efforts, including wearing a sleep monitor and fitness watch, filling out detailed surveys, and taking cognitive tests. Blair and about 600 other participants may never find out the results of their cognitive tests, despite the researchers’ assurances. The study, called the Phresh study, was abruptly ended by the Trump administration, which canceled, froze, or disrupted more than 5,700 medical research grants at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Initially focused on food deserts, the study evolved into a broad investigation of the life experiences, well-being, and cognitive health of residents in two aging, low-income, and predominantly Black neighborhoods near the University of Pittsburgh. The study aimed to understand how environmental factors might influence long-term health. The abrupt termination has raised concerns about the potential delay in diagnosing Alzheimer's disease or dementia among the study group. Early diagnosis is critical for treatment, and nearly 7 million people in the U.S. live with Alzheimer's, with Black Americans facing nearly double the risk compared to white individuals. Researchers argue that this disparity isn't just due to personal risk factors but is also shaped by systemic issues like neighborhood neglect, discrimination, and trauma. The Phresh study was originally funded during the Obama administration and was designed to study the impact of access to food and other neighborhood conditions on health. Participants shared deeply personal information, including details about childhood experiences, education, and recent trauma. Many described living on fixed incomes, dealing with violence, and caring for grandchildren. The study was at the forefront of research on brain health and social epidemiology when it was terminated, having completed its second and final round of cognitive testing. NIH director Jay Bhattacharya, a Trump appointee, claimed that the study’s focus on self-reported data linking trauma and discrimination to health outcomes did not align with NIH priorities. This decision has sparked legal challenges, with researchers filing a class-action lawsuit against the NIH, arguing that the administration is trying to suppress research it disagrees with. The termination of the Phresh study is part of a larger trend of canceling research grants focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Alongside Phresh, two other brain health studies at the University of Pittsburgh were also ended. Researchers warn that this shift could lead to a research landscape with more white participants and fewer insights into the health challenges faced by marginalized communities. The impact of deprivation and trauma on health is supported by decades of research, including the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study, which links childhood trauma to long-term health issues. The cancellation of studies like Phresh and others examining the effects of discrimination on brain health has raised serious concerns about the future of such research.