In a move that has alarmed public health experts and advocacy groups, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has taken down several websites and datasets related to HIV, LGBTQ health, and youth behavior.
The removal comes in compliance with executive orders from President Donald Trump, which direct federal agencies to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and recognize only two biological sexes.
According to health officials, the move has resulted in the sudden disappearance of crucial public health resources such as the CDC’s HIV index page, national surveillance reports, and the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, which tracks the health behaviors of high school students.
Also, pages dealing with LGBTQ youth suicide risks, safe school environments, and health disparities have been removed.
According to experts, this loss of information will have big consequences. “Irrespective of your views on gender issues, you should care that science and data are being erased to fit an ideology,” said a senior health official.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America and the HIV Medicine Association have issued appeals to reinstate the data, stating that real-time information is vital to manage disease outbreaks.
Meanwhile, journalists and activists began archiving CDC data in the hope that such access may never be taken away again.
And so, public health transparency will only hang by a thread if people will be wondering what’s next for being removed from public access.
