Claire 🌊🇪🇺🇫🇷🌍🧵 1/ The CDC recently issued a directive that has caused waves in the scientific community: all manuscripts under review must remove gender-related terms like 'transgender', 'non-binary', and 'pregnant person', in compliance with an executive order from President Trump that recognizes only two sexes. #Science #Gender
2/ This move has stirred controversy, particularly in public health research, where understanding gender identity and sex is crucial for addressing health disparities and tailoring treatment outcomes. Removing such terms risks making research less relevant. #PublicHealth #Research
3/ Critics argue that omitting gender-related language could have serious ethical implications. It could lead to inaccurate studies, especially on topics like HIV and LGBTQ+ health, where sexual orientation and gender identity are essential for understanding and improving care. #EthicsInScience
4/ Another challenge? Scientific journals. Many have policies that include gender data, and this CDC directive could conflict with international standards, potentially hindering the publication of valuable research. #AcademicFreedom #Publishing
5/ Legal concerns are also emerging. Some scholars worry that this mandate could infringe on free speech, especially for non-CDC researchers. Many are now urging their peers to resist complying with the directive. #FreeSpeech #AcademicIntegrity
6/ The backlash is growing. Researchers have expressed alarm, and some are even backing up CDC data after the agency removed certain webpages related to gender and diversity. Journals like the British Medical Journal are pledging to maintain their editorial independence. #Pushback #GenderEquality
7/ Meanwhile, this is part of a larger pattern. Following a similar executive order, the Trump administration mandated the removal of LGBTQ+ health resources across federal agencies, including the CDC, HHS, and FDA. Critical data on issues like HIV and LGBTQ+ youth health was deleted. #PolicyChange
8/ The removal of health data, such as information on sexual health, youth behavior, and HIV care, is alarming to public health experts. They warn it creates dangerous gaps in understanding and responding to public health crises, especially for vulnerable groups. #PublicHealthCrisis
9/ Other agencies, like the FDA and HHS, followed suit, removing data on transgender health and LGBTQ+ issues. Nonprofits and state health departments were also pressured to comply or risk losing federal funding. #LGBTQHealth #FederalPolicy
10/ The most troubling aspect? This mandate is affecting gender-affirming care. Some hospitals have paused treatments like puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors. This shift threatens access to critical care for many vulnerable youth. #TransRights #HealthcareAccess
11/ The loss of civil rights guidance on gender-affirming care has sparked fears about increased stigma and reduced support for LGBTQ+ individuals. Experts worry this move reverses progress made in supporting gender diversity in healthcare. #CivilRights #LGBTQRights
12/ In the bigger picture, these changes reflect a push to restrict gender diversity recognition in federal policies. It has far-reaching consequences for health research, treatment, and public health efforts. #PolicyImpacts #GenderRecognition
13/ As experts raise alarms, there's growing concern that future research will be hindered. Researchers are calling for the restoration of critical data and guidelines to ensure that public health remains based on accurate, inclusive, and evidence-based science. #SaveTheData #PublicHealthResearch
CDC websites, datasets taken down as agency complies with Trump executive orders
Several US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites and datasets related to HIV, LGBTQ people, youth health behaviors and more have been removed after the agency was directed to comply with executive orders from President Donald Trump.
CDC purges STD and vaccine recommendations after Trump gender order
Health experts say the website purge could result in deaths.
