The removal and modification of various health resources from U.S. government websites have raised concerns among health professionals. This action comes as federal agencies comply with executive orders from former President Donald Trump, affecting several sites and datasets maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Noteworthy deletions include information related to HIV, LGBTQ health, and youth behaviors, with many pages indicating compliance with Trump’s directives.
Additionally, sites from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have also seen content removed or altered. The executive orders have mandated the dismantling of federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and have reinforced a binary classification of sex.
A memo from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management instructed agency leaders to eliminate any media that promotes gender ideology, with a deadline set for compliance. CNN has sought clarification from the White House regarding these changes.
According to a senior health official, noncompliance could lead to severe repercussions for staff. The official emphasized that the removal of the content is a temporary measure to meet compliance requirements, but warned that this could lead to significant gaps in available data and scientific information.
As of Friday, numerous CDC pages pertaining to HIV, such as the HIV index page, testing, datasets, and national surveillance reports, were inaccessible. Additionally, guidelines for treating sexually transmitted infections have been removed, along with critical information regarding LGBTQ youth and their mental health risks. Resources focused on food safety during pregnancy were also taken down.
The AtlasPlus tool, which provided users with the ability to analyze CDC data on various health issues, has been removed, alongside the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index, which assists researchers and policymakers in identifying at-risk communities.
Following directives to pause external communications until February 1, CDC representatives directed inquiries to the HHS for further clarification. An HHS spokesperson confirmed that the changes align with Trump’s executive orders aimed at addressing gender ideology and DEI programs.
Health leaders have expressed alarm over the missing information, stressing its importance for healthcare providers nationwide. David C. Harvey, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors, highlighted the critical nature of these guidelines for diagnosing and treating infections, warning that such removals could lead to dire health consequences, particularly in urgent cases.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America and the HIV Medicine Association underscored the necessity of timely information for managing public health effectively. Dr. Tina Tan and Dr. Colleen Kelley, representing these associations, voiced their concerns over the gaps created by the withdrawal of HIV and LGBTQ resources from CDC platforms.
In response to the disappearing data, scholars and activists have urged others to archive available CDC information. The Association of Health Care Journalists has formally requested the immediate restoration of these vital resources, emphasizing their significance in informing public health discussions on various behavioral issues.
