# data[].attributes.body
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Act of 1937 significantly advanced cancer research and public health in the United States. By establishing the NCI within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the law provided essential funding for cancer studies, grants to universities, and investigations into the environmental and genetic factors influencing the disease. Over the years, the NCI has grown considerably, expanding from its initial budget of $1.45 million to a $5 billion operation employing 4,000 people. The institute continues to support groundbreaking research, including large-scale studies on cancer disparities among various populations. As part of the broader New Deal commitment to public health, the NCI Act has contributed to a lasting legacy of scientific progress, improved treatments, and increased public awareness of cancer prevention and care.

# data[].attributes.body
The New Deal's public health initiatives had a significant and lasting impact on the United States by enhancing sanitation, medical care, and disease prevention. Federal agencies such as the Public Works Administration (PWA) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) funded the construction of hospitals, water treatment facilities, and sanitation systems. These improvements helped reduce pollution and prevent waterborne diseases. The WPA also provided essential health services, which included immunizing children, staffing hospitals, offering mobile dental clinics, and serving school lunches. These efforts greatly improved public health outcomes. Additionally, New Deal programs supported medical research, leading to the establishment of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in 1937 and the conduct of the National Health Survey. These initiatives influenced future healthcare policies, such as Medicaid. Overall, the New Deal not only enhanced physical health but also promoted mental well-being. It expanded access to healthcare for marginalized groups, including African Americans, Native Americans, and Puerto Ricans. This legacy has resulted in better healthcare infrastructure and increased awareness.

# data[].attributes.body
The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) of 1938 has had a lasting impact on public health and consumer protection in the United States. It strengthened safety regulations by requiring drug testing before approval, prohibiting false therapeutic claims, and introducing oversight for cosmetics and medical devices. The law also expanded the authority of the FDA, enabling it to inspect factories, confiscate unsafe products, and prosecute violations. As a result, stricter standards for food and drugs were established. By the 1960s, approximately half of the U.S. food supply was regulated under the FDCA. This act served as the foundation for later reforms, such as the Kefauver-Harris Amendments of 1962 and the Medical Device Amendments of 1976. Today, the FDCA continues to shape FDA policies, ensuring the safety of food, medicine, and cosmetics while setting a global standard for consumer protection

# data[].attributes.body
The Home Owners’ Loan Act of 1933 had a significant impact on California, where the Great Depression caused widespread foreclosures and housing instability. Many homeowners in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland faced mortgage defaults due to unemployment and declining property values. The Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) provided relief by refinancing thousands of distressed loans in the state, offering lower interest rates and longer repayment terms. This effort helped stabilize neighborhoods and prevent mass displacement. Additionally, the HOLC, along with the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), played a crucial role in shaping California's suburban expansion after World War II by promoting long-term, federally backed mortgages. However, the HOLC also engaged in redlining, a discriminatory practice that denied favorable loan terms to predominantly Black and minority neighborhoods. This contributed to long-term racial disparities in homeownership and wealth accumulation in California.

# data[].attributes.body
The education initiatives of the New Deal had a significant impact on my life and access to education. Programs like the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the National Youth Administration (NYA) helped create a system that made education more accessible for people like me. Through improvements to school infrastructure, financial support for students, and a focus on vocational training, these initiatives laid the groundwork for an educational system that enabled me to pursue opportunities that may not have been available otherwise. These programs, particularly in areas such as adult education and vocational training, prepared me for a productive future, highlighting the importance of democratic values, literacy, and a well-rounded education.

# data[].attributes.body
The Banking Act of 1935 significantly impacted the functioning of financial systems and banking policies in the United States, which directly and indirectly affected my life. By strengthening the Federal Reserve’s independence from the executive branch and centralizing monetary policy, the Act provided greater stability in the financial system, ultimately helping to stabilize the economy. Additionally, the creation of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) offered increased security for depositors, which made me feel more confident about the safety of my bank accounts. While the restructuring and policies established by the Act may have had long-term consequences—evident during the 2008 financial crisis—the reforms helped restore public trust in the banking system during a time of economic instability. This created a more secure financial environment that benefited me.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
More consumer-oriented than its predecessor, the 1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act was a watershed in US food policy. In contrast to the limited health-based standards that the Ministry of Health proposed in Britain during the Depression, the US, largely through the efforts of women's groups, pioneered policies designed to protect the pocketbooks of consumers, and food standards were enacted to ensure the 'value expected' by consumers.[46] The 1938 Act eliminated the 'distinctive name proviso' and required instead that the label of a food 'bear its common or usual name'. The food would be misbranded if it represented itself as a standardised food unless it conformed to that standard. The law provided for three kinds of food standards: 1) standards (definitions) of identity, 2) standards of quality, and 3) standards regulating the fill of container. Regulators had the discretionary authority to set standards 'whenever in the judgment of the Secretary such action will promote honesty and fair dealing in the interests of consumers'.[47]

[46]Legislative History, vol. 2, p. 93.
[47]Pub. L. No. 75-717, 52 Stat. 1040 (1938).

Next: Food Standards Under the 1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: Bread and Jam

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
More consumer-oriented than its predecessor, the 1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act was a watershed in US food policy.