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The Trump administration is implementing sweeping changes to the US public health system, raising concerns among experts about the long-term effects on public safety. Key health reports have been halted, critical medical resources have been removed, and government officials remain silent on emerging disease outbreaks. These policy shifts could significantly impact public health response and disease prevention efforts.
For the latest health policy updates, visit Coleman News.
Shortly after taking office, the Trump administration suspended all communications from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
For the first time in 60 years, the MMWR—which historically documented major health crises, including the early days of the AIDS epidemic—missed two consecutive issues. Experts warn that disrupting this publication undermines disease tracking and response efforts.
“MMWR is vital for understanding health trends,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University. She described the pause as a radical departure from public health norms.
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Public health scientists at the CDC are now required to revise research papers, removing terms deemed politically sensitive, such as “gender”. Experts warn that this could harm health initiatives targeting at-risk populations, including transgender individuals and men who have sex with men.
Meanwhile, key CDC resources for doctors and the public have been removed or altered, including:
A birth control app that provided guidance on safe contraceptive use based on medical history.
HIV prevention guidelines for PrEP, a critical tool in reducing infections.
LGBTQ behavioral health and intimate partner violence resources, which have disappeared from CDC webpages.
Sexually transmitted infection (STI) treatment guidance, which was temporarily removed before being reinstated with disclaimers.
“I don’t see how treating gonorrhea is political,” said Dr. Natalie DiCenzo, an obstetrician-gynecologist, criticising the removal of essential medical guidelines. Some restored pages now include disclaimers referencing Trump’s executive orders, further politicising public health.
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Public health advocates are raising the alarm over the deletion of critical health data, arguing that such actions will disproportionately impact vulnerable populations.
Jessica Valenti, founder of the Abortion, Every Day newsletter, has been archiving deleted CDC materials on a site called CDCguidelines.com. She warns that even reinstated resources have been stripped of terms like “trans”, effectively erasing these groups from health policy discussions.
“Erasing data on specific groups erases them from health policy,” said virologist Angela Rasmussen. “This will cause suffering and death.”
With federal health communications restricted, experts fear that disease outbreaks are being overlooked. In Kansas City, Kansas, the largest tuberculosis outbreak in modern US history is spreading, with 67 active cases—yet no national health agency has officially reported on it.
The National Medical Association (NMA), which represents African American physicians, has called for an end to the government’s communication freeze, warning that silence will worsen public health crises.
Amid these restrictions, independent public health experts are stepping in to share vital health updates. Caitlin Rivers, a senior public health researcher at Johns Hopkins University, has started publishing her own outbreak reports via a personal newsletter, relying on CDC flu data to provide crucial insights.
Trump’s public health policies are reshaping disease surveillance, medical guidance, and health equity. Experts warn that these changes could lead to missed outbreaks, increased health disparities, and reduced access to care for vulnerable populations.
As policies continue to evolve, the future of US public health remains uncertain—but one thing is clear: the stakes have never been higher.
For ongoing coverage of public health developments, visit Coleman News.