On January 31, 2025, several important federal health datasets were suddenly taken offline. This included key national health surveys and dashboards that researchers, policymakers, and the media rely on for information. For example, multiple datasets from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were unavailable, with error messages simply stating that the pages “were not found.” While the main page of the United States Census displayed an error, the data download site appeared to function normally.
By February 2, 2025, some of the affected pages gradually returned. They came back with a notice saying that CDC’s website was being updated to align with changes from Executive Orders issued by President Trump. Though some survey data files were restored, critical documentation like questionnaires and codebooks, which help researchers analyze the data, remained unavailable. There were also reports that stayed offline. It’s unclear if everything will return to normal or if changes are on the horizon for these data sources.
The removal of some data sources seems linked to Executive Orders addressing issues around sex and gender and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). While the specific Orders didn’t mention datasets directly, they required agencies to remove content promoting gender ideology or DEI. This broad directive raises concerns about the future of health surveillance data.
Federal health surveys are essential for tracking public health issues and shaping initiatives. One significant survey affected was the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), which has collected data for about 40 years. This survey provides vital information on health behaviors, preventive practices, and access to care. The data helps inform discussions around topics like obesity, vaccination, and chronic diseases. Although the data files are back online, the corresponding questionnaires and codebooks are still missing.
In the past few years, BRFSS included optional questions on sexual orientation and gender identity. This additional information has been crucial for understanding disparities in health coverage and outcomes, especially for transgender individuals. As of now, the BRFSS data file is accessible and seems intact, but without the necessary documentation for full analysis.
Another survey impacted was the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), which has monitored high school students’ risk behaviors since 1990. This survey directly asks teenagers questions relevant to their health and well-being. The data has highlighted concerning trends, such as increasing mental health issues among teens, particularly in the LGBTQ+ community. Like BRFSS, the YRBS materials returned online but lacked critical documentation.
Other significant datasets taken offline included those related to HIV/AIDS in the U.S. and global health statistics in low- and middle-income countries. Some of these datasets are:
- CDC AtlasPlus: A tool for accessing HIV, STD, and health-related data.
- PEPFAR Data Dashboards: A site that shares detailed information on the U.S. global HIV/AIDS program.
- Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS): Household surveys offering data on health and nutrition from over 90 countries.
- Foreignassistance.gov: A resource for tracking U.S. foreign aid data.
Addtionally, other important resources were unavailable for a time, including the Area Health Resource Files and the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index.
While this overview focuses on health surveys, it is important to note that other public health information also faced changes, which could affect how people access health services.
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