The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a vital entity for public health data and research in the United States, has faced significant challenges regarding its operational transparency and the accessibility of its datasets following executive orders issued by President Donald Trump. These orders mandated the removal of references to gender identity and the recognition of only two biological sexes, male and female, across federal agencies. Consequently, several CDC websites and datasets relating to crucial health information, particularly for marginalized communities, have been taken offline, raising serious concerns about the potential impact on public health research and data accessibility.
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at eliminating what he referred to as “gender ideology” from federal agencies. This directive required the federal government to recognize only two sexes, mandating agencies to remove or modify any content that promoted or reflected gender diversity (Gillian Branstetter, 2025). To implement these changes swiftly, an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) memo instructed agencies to cease all outward-facing media that might promote gender ideology, compelling the CDC and other health organizations to comply by January 31, 2025. As a result, websites and datasets related to LGBTQ+ health, HIV research, youth behavior, and other critical areas were removed or rendered inaccessible, severely curtailing access to essential public health information (Jen Christensen, Nick Valencia, Jacqueline Howard, Deidre McPhillips, Brenda Goodman, 2025).
The abrupt removal of CDC datasets poses a significant risk to public health research, particularly concerning vital health statistics that inform policy decisions and health interventions. For instance, datasets compiled from programs like the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) have been integral in identifying health risks, understanding health behaviors, and assessing the well-being of various demographic groups. The YRBS, which tracks the health behaviors of high school students, has provided insights into issues such as mental health disparities among LGBTQ+ youth, a factor crucial for developing targeted health interventions (Katherine J. Wu, 2025. With the removal of these datasets, researchers lose access to critical information necessary for understanding and addressing health disparities that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. For instance, LGBTQ+ populations have unique health challenges, and the absence of data on their experiences could lead to a glaring void of inappropriate public health responses (Berkeley Lovelace Jr., 2025). This is particularly concerning given that health data plays a crucial role in directing resources and shaping health policy, especially for communities experiencing inequities in access to care.
The CDC’s current predicament, rooted in compliance with executive orders, stands as a cautionary tale regarding the potential consequences of political influence on public health data accessibility. The removal of significant datasets not only hampers scientific inquiry but also undermines the ability to address health disparities affecting vulnerable populations. As researchers and advocates work tirelessly to salvage available data, the broader impacts on health policy, programmatic responses, and community advocacy efforts remain to be seen. Ultimately, the accountability and transparency of public health institutions must prevail over political winds to ensure that all Americans receive the health care they need based on sound scientific evidence.