In a recent turn of events, former President Donald Trump has attempted to take credit for the continuing decline in cancer rates across the United States. Despite having been in office since January 2017, Trump pointed to a report announcing a drop in cancer death rates and suggested his administration played a pivotal role in this positive trend. In a tweet, he proclaimed, “U.S. Cancer Death Rate Lowest In Recorded History! A lot of good news coming out of this Administration.” However, the American Cancer Society quickly refuted his claims.
Understanding the Data
According to a report released by the American Cancer Society in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, the cancer death rate in the U.S. has been on a downward trajectory for the past 26 years, with the most significant drop occurring between 2016 and 2017—well before Trump’s policies could have had an impact. The report highlighted that this decrease was largely attributed to advancements in early detection, treatment, and a decline in smoking rates. Gary M. Reedy, the CEO of the American Cancer Society, clarified that these trends are not a result of the current administration’s actions. “The mortality trends reflected in our current report… reflect prevention, early detection, and treatment advances that occurred in prior years,” he stated.
Criticism from Lawmakers
Critics, including Florida Congresswoman Linda Harper, took to social media to point out that cancer rates were already declining before Trump took office. Harper emphasized that Congress had previously rejected the president’s proposed cuts to cancer research funding, which aimed to slash billions from the NIH and the National Cancer Institute. In fact, shortly after assuming the presidency, Trump unveiled a “skinny budget” that sought to reduce funding for biomedical research.
The Importance of Ongoing Research
While Trump continues to make claims about achievements he had no hand in, the importance of the report should not be overlooked. The data shows that cancer remains a significant public health issue in the U.S., being the second leading cause of death. The continuous decline in the cancer death rate since its peak in 1991 demonstrates the value of ongoing research and public health initiatives. For more insights on this topic, you can check out this post on home insemination techniques, which also touches on health matters.
Conclusion
In summary, while Trump may attempt to associate himself with the positive trend of declining cancer rates, the American Cancer Society attributes this progress to prior advancements in healthcare. The report serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against cancer and the importance of sustained support for research and prevention efforts.