Donald Trump is delivering for the American people. He’s making good on his promise to keep America first.
And the Trump admin just made a pledge that has residents in this red state rejoicing.
NIH Commits $10 Million to Study Long-Term Health Impacts of East Palestine Train Derailment
In a significant move to address community concerns, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has pledged $10 million over the next five years to investigate the lasting health effects of the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The disaster, which released toxic chemicals into the environment, has prompted urgent calls for comprehensive research to understand its impact on residents, particularly children.
The initiative follows advocacy from Vice President JD Vance, who, as a newly elected senator from Ohio in 2023, pressed for deeper studies into the health consequences of the chemical spill. “As a senator, it was incredibly frustrating watching the Biden administration refuse to examine the potentially dangerous health impacts on the people of East Palestine following the train derailment,” Vance stated.
“I’m proud that we finally have a new president that takes the concerns of everyday, working-class people seriously. This historic research initiative will finally result in answers that this community deserves.”
The research program will involve a series of multidisciplinary studies aimed at evaluating biological risk markers among those affected by the spill. It will also strengthen public health monitoring in East Palestine and ensure “well-coordinated communications” between researchers, according to an NIH announcement.
The agency plans to issue one to three research awards, with a deadline of July 21, 2025, for experts to apply for funding to study the affected community.
Funding will be distributed at a rate of $2 million annually over the five-year period. NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya emphasized the agency’s commitment to the region, stating, “NIH is working to ensure that the people of East Palestine and the surrounding communities are listened to, cared for, and get the answers they deserve.”
He added, “This multi-disciplinary research program will focus on public health tracking and surveillance of the community’s health conditions to support health care decisions and preventive measures.”
The derailment, which occurred on February 3, 2023, involved a 38-car Norfolk Southern freight train carrying hazardous materials, including vinyl chloride, benzene residue, and butyl acrylate.
The incident led to a fire and a controlled burn by authorities, which triggered a massive explosion, further spreading toxic substances into the air, soil, and water.
The environmental fallout has left the small Ohio community of roughly 4,700 residents grappling with uncertainty about long-term health risks.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. highlighted the importance of transparency, saying, “the people of East Palestine have a right to clear, science-backed answers about the impact on their health.” Local leaders have welcomed the funding as a critical step toward addressing these concerns.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, praised the initiative, noting, “This funding will enable the people of East Palestine to have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that any potential for long-term health effects will be studied.”
The NIH’s commitment marks a pivotal moment for East Palestine, offering hope that rigorous scientific inquiry will provide clarity and support for a community still recovering from the 2023 disaster.
You can watch the announcement of NIH’s research into the East Palestine disaster by clicking on the video below:
I'm proud to announce with @SecKennedy and @NIHDirector_Jay that the Trump Administration is launching a program to study long-term health effects of the chemical spill in East Palestine, OH and help residents access the care they need.
East Palestine, we will never forget you. pic.twitter.com/zjJOnXZgoc
— JD Vance (@JDVance) June 19, 2025
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