NIH senior investigator resigns over ‘censorship’ of research findings

Kevin Hall, a researcher at the National Institutes of Health, recently announced his early retirement on Wednesday due to concerns over alleged censorship of research findings at the federal agency. His decision was prompted by events that led him to question whether he could continue conducting unbiased scientific research at the NIH.

Hall, who had been optimistic about recent leadership changes at the NIH, had focused his research on studying the impact of high ultra-processed food diets on chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity. However, he faced obstacles due to censorship of his research findings, which he raised in a letter to NIH leadership, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. and NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya.

The researcher expressed disappointment over the censorship of his work, including an incident where an HHS communications director intervened to downplay his study results on ultra-processed foods to the New York Times. Hall felt that continuing to work under such conditions would make him “hate [his] job every day,” leading to his decision to retire early.

Hall, who hoped to return to government service in the future, emphasized the importance of conducting unbiased scientific research to promote public health priorities. An HHS spokesperson denied Hall’s claims of censorship and interference in scientific research, stating that NIH scientists would continue to conduct interviews regarding their research through appropriate means.