Skip to main content
Tags: cdc | gender | dei | transgender

CDC Removes Gender, DEI References from Public Health Sites

By    |   Saturday, 01 February 2025 06:14 PM EST

The CDC removed references to gender identity, transgender people, and DEI from its public health materials Friday, following an executive order from President Donald Trump that aims to eliminate federal programs promoting "gender ideology," The Washington Post reported.

According to agency employees who spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) scrubbed or edited thousands of references to transgender people, LGBTQ+ health, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from its website in compliance with an Office of Personnel Management directive.

Among the pages removed were HIV testing guidelines for transgender people, recommendations for HIV medication, and resources on LGBTQ+ youth health.

The CDC's vaccine advisory page was also taken down Friday, and when it returned Saturday, references to the mpox (monkeypox) vaccine were missing.

The changes are part of a sweeping effort to remove references to gender identity from federal health agencies. Officials have been instructed to comply by Friday.

The move has sparked concern among public health experts who rely on CDC data to study health disparities among vulnerable populations.

"It is Orwellian, it really is," said Steven Woolf, director emeritus and senior adviser at Virginia Commonwealth University's Center on Society and Health. "The fact that so many websites are being scrubbed is an alarming development and endangers public policy and makes it difficult for decision-makers around the country, including doctors like myself, to make informed choices."

According to two officials who were aware of the matter, CDC staff were directed to contact scientific journals to retract unpublished studies that did not comply with the executive order.

A Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson emailed that "all changes to the HHS website and HHS division websites are in accordance with President Trump's January 20 Executive Orders."

The Trump administration also froze external communications at the CDC and other health agencies, halting website updates and scientific reports, including the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, which has not been published for two weeks.

Experts say removing data could have lasting implications for public health research. The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, a crucial survey conducted every two years to assess high school students' health behaviors, was inaccessible Friday.

Many of the removed documents pertain to the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and whether individuals in different communities receive health care.

Before the changes, a search of the CDC website yielded more than 2,200 studies, papers, and guidance pages referencing transgender individuals, 490 related to LGBTQ+ health, and more than 6,000 documents addressing DEI.

Public health researchers warn that removing demographic markers such as gender identity from data sets could hinder efforts to identify and address health disparities.

As part of the directive, agency staff were given a list of about 20 words and phrases to avoid, including "gender," "transgender," "LGBT," "nonbinary," and "DEI." Employees were also told to remove pronouns from official email signatures by Friday.

Jim Thomas

Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.

© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.


Newsfront
The CDC removed references to gender identity, transgender people, and DEI from its public health materials Friday, following an executive orderfrom President Donald Trump that aims to eliminate federal programs promoting "gender ideology," The Washington Post...
cdc, gender, dei, transgender
489
2025-14-01
Saturday, 01 February 2025 06:14 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
TOP

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the Newsmax App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved