A recent analysis conducted by STAT has revealed a concerning trend within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data platform following President Trump’s inauguration. At least 135 datasets and files have been removed from data.cdc.gov, indicating a deliberate effort to eliminate language that may be considered objectionable by the current administration. The removals primarily target terms like “gender,” aligning with Trump’s executive order to use “sex” instead of “gender” in all federal agencies.
The Impact of Political Changes on Public Health Data
The removal of datasets related to gender, sexual orientation, and other sensitive topics has raised significant concerns about the transparency and accessibility of crucial public health information. The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) are among the datasets affected, indicating a shift towards obscuring critical data that could inform public health policies and interventions. The reuploading of certain datasets on the main CDC website following a court order further underscores the complexity of the situation.
Real-Time Monitoring Reveals Ongoing Changes
To track the evolving landscape of CDC data, STAT initiated real-time monitoring of the agency’s data platform starting on January 31st. The analysis revealed a total of 133 items removed between November 25, 2024, and January 31, 2025, with additional removals occurring since then. Notably, 61 items were taken down unexpectedly, indicating a broader effort to censor specific types of data. The reuploading of modified datasets, such as the Heart Disease Mortality Data Among US Adults, highlights the meticulous alterations made to comply with the new language guidelines.
Preserving Public Health Data Through Archiving Efforts
In response to the data purge, STAT took proactive measures to download and archive all available files from data.cdc.gov. A comprehensive table has been provided for individuals to access original copies of datasets removed from the CDC’s site, ensuring the preservation of critical public health information. While some discrepancies may exist between the archived files and current CDC data, the backup serves as a safeguard against potential data loss or censorship.
Moving Forward: A Commitment to Transparency and Accessibility
As the situation continues to evolve, STAT remains dedicated to updating and expanding its monitoring efforts to provide the public with accurate and accessible information. Plans to publish full differentials of republished datasets, enhance search functionality, and add additional metadata to file listings demonstrate a commitment to transparency and data integrity. For individuals interested in accessing a complete archive of CDC data, resources such as the Internet Archive offer comprehensive collections for download, ensuring the continued availability of crucial public health data.
In conclusion, the ongoing changes within the CDC’s data platform highlight the intersection of politics and public health, underscoring the importance of transparency, accessibility, and data preservation in informing evidence-based decision-making. By monitoring, archiving, and disseminating critical public health data, efforts like those undertaken by STAT contribute to a broader commitment to upholding the integrity and availability of essential health information for all.
