The new administration of President Donald Trump has instructed federal health agencies to halt external communications, including regular scientific reports, website updates, and health advisories. This directive was issued to agencies within the US Department of Health and Human Services, such as the US Food and Drug Administration, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health.
The orders were given suddenly and with limited guidance on their scope, leaving staff confused about what exactly was covered. Acting health secretary Dr. Dorothy Fink later provided more details in a memo, stating that the directive would be in effect until February 1.
According to the memo, all documents and communications, including regulations, guidance, social media posts, websites, and press releases, must be reviewed and approved by a presidential appointee before being released. Employees are also required to seek approval before participating in public speaking engagements and sending official correspondence to members of Congress or governors.
While it is not uncommon for incoming administrations to review information before public release, the extent of this order is considered unusual. Health agencies like the CDC, FDA, and NIH regularly provide updates on food recalls, drug approvals, and public health threats, including the current H5N1 bird flu outbreak.
The agencies play a crucial role in monitoring and reporting on various health issues, such as infectious diseases and natural disasters. The pause in external communications has raised concerns about the transparency and timeliness of information being shared with the public during this period.
