Federal health agencies restore webpages and datasets following judicial order

USA – In response to a federal court order, several U.S. health agencies have reinstated previously removed webpages and datasets.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) restored nine webpages, including those on adolescent health, HIV monitoring, contraception guidance, and data on environmental impacts on communities.

Similarly, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reinstated guidelines for incorporating sex-specific data in clinical trials and regulatory submissions.

These removals were initially executed to comply with a presidential executive order issued by President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025.

The order mandated the exclusive use of the term “sex” in federal policies, eliminating references to “gender,” and called for the removal of programs promoting “gender ideology.”

This directive led to the widespread deletion of information across various government websites.

The abrupt removal of these resources prompted legal action from Doctors for America, represented by the Public Citizen Litigation Group.

The lawsuit argued that the deletions hindered medical professionals’ ability to access critical, government-reviewed information necessary for patient care.

U.S. District Judge John Bates ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, instructing the agencies to restore the specified webpages and datasets and to provide adequate notice or explanation for any future removals.

Despite the restoration efforts, some links remained nonfunctional as of Wednesday morning, indicating ongoing challenges in reinstating the full spectrum of previously available information.

This incident highlights a broader concern within the scientific and medical communities regarding the politicization of data and information.

The Atlantic reported that the Trump administration’s actions, including freezing research funds and purging health data, have significantly disrupted scientific pursuits, leading to layoffs and fostering fear among researchers.