Trump Must Stop War on Science and Public Health
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Trump Administration’s war on science and public health continues as websites at the CDC, FDA and other federal health agencies are censored and purged, and prohibitions on communications between CDC employees and other organizations and the public are indefinitely extended.
More than 3,000 pages on the CDC website have been taken down, including a thousand research articles, entire databases and vaccine information statements for patients, and more than 100 pages from the FDA, including more than 60 regulatory guidelines. CDC scientists have been ordered to withdraw pending scientific publications, containing words such as “transgender,” “immigrant,” “L.G.B.T” or “pregnant people.”
Public Citizen Health Research Group Director Dr. Robert Steinbrook issued the following statement:
“To call this assault on scientific and public information and communications Orwellian would be an understatement. If the Trump administration’s mindless interference with federal health agencies continues, it will irreparably harm both the agencies and public health.
“The censorship and purging of crucial information must end now. Full communications and scientists’ ability to hold and participate in meetings and publish articles must be restored without delay. Interim leaders of federal health agencies must stand up for their agencies’ integrity.
“Professional associations, medical journal editors, the National Academy of Medicine and other leaders must speak out in defense of science and public health. Silence in this critical moment is the wrong choice.”