The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has removed more than a dozen webpages containing information on sexual and gender identity, health equity, and related public health topics. The decision followed a directive from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees the agency.
According to an internal CDC email reviewed by CNBC, staff members were informed on September 19 that specific resources needed to be taken down by the end of the day. The move has since sparked concern among public health advocates, who warn it could reduce access to critical medical information, particularly for groups already facing health disparities.
The deleted pages included resources addressing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among gay and transgender individuals, information on health equity for people with disabilities, and fact sheets covering bisexuality and asexuality.
Concerns From Public Health Advocates
The removals have alarmed organizations that work to promote equitable health care. Advocates say these resources provided vital, evidence-based guidance for both clinicians and the public.
The LGBT PA Caucus, a nonprofit that supports LGBTQ+ health-care equity, criticized the decision, saying the loss of government-backed medical information undermines patient trust and may leave vulnerable communities without reliable guidance. The group stressed that removing material about gender identity or sexual orientation does not eliminate the medical need for such resources.
Part of a Larger Political Agenda
While the CDC’s internal message to employees did not explain why certain pages were selected, the removals align with broader policies under the Trump administration. Since returning to office, President Donald Trump has issued executive orders restricting references to gender identity in federal policies and limiting efforts around diversity, equity, and inclusion.
An HHS spokesperson defended the move, saying the CDC is “aligning their website with Administration priorities and Executive Orders.” The CDC referred questions about the removals to HHS.
History of Content Takedowns
This is not the first time health-related resources have disappeared from government websites under the current administration.
In January, thousands of webpages hosted by the CDC, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other agencies were abruptly pulled offline. The action followed Trump’s executive order barring references to gender identity in federal documents and policies.
The sudden removal of these resources prompted lawsuits from advocacy groups. In February, a federal judge ordered HHS, the CDC, and the FDA to temporarily restore the deleted content while the case moved forward.
By July, the judge ruled that the government had acted unlawfully in ordering the broad takedowns. Agencies were instructed to review and reinstate resources, and by September 19, court documents showed that most had complied. According to filings, 185 pages had been restored, with only 11 CDC webpages still under review at that time.
Questions Over Compliance
The timing of the CDC’s most recent removals has raised new questions. On the same day the administration told the court that the majority of pages had been restored, the CDC eliminated more content.
It remains unclear whether the latest takedowns were part of the original lawsuit or a separate action. Critics argue that the lack of transparency leaves health professionals uncertain about which resources remain available and which are permanently gone.
Pages Taken Offline
Internal spreadsheets attached to the CDC email listed more than a dozen specific pages that were removed on September 19. Another list, compiled by agency staff and reviewed by CNBC, added one more site to the tally.
Verification by CNBC and the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine confirmed that the following pages are no longer accessible:
- About STIs and Gay Men – last online September 5
- STI Information for Transgender and Gender Diverse Persons – last online September 2
- About Shigella Infection Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men – last online September 1
- Prevention Approaches for Viral Hepatitis in Gay and Bisexual Men – last online August 30
- Viral Hepatitis Among Men Who Have Sex with Men – last online September 2
- Tuberculosis and Asian Persons – last online August 28
- Risk of Clade 1 Mpox Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men – last online July 20
- CDC’s CORE Commitment to Health Equity – last online January 30
- Health Equity in Cancer Prevention and Control – last online September 1
- Health Equity and Drug Overdose – last online September 1
- Health Equity for People with Disabilities – last online August 27
- Health Equity in Injury and Violence Prevention – last online August 27
- NPIN: Understanding Bisexuality – last online November 23, 2024
- NPIN: Understanding Asexuality – last online November 23, 2024
- NPIN: Lesbian/Bisexual Women – currently loads only a blank title page
- NPIN: Guidelines for Comprehensive Sex Education, 3rd Edition – last online July 8
- Alzheimer’s Communication Guide – last online June 10
Some other webpages listed in the internal spreadsheet remain online, including one that tracks hospitalizations linked to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
