epocrates

Federal health agencies reinstate webpages and datasets per court ruling

February 13, 2025

Federal health agencies have reinstated several webpages and datasets following a judge's order to restore public access to information removed due to President Trump's executive order.

CDC restored nine pages, including those on adolescent health, HIV monitoring, contraception guidance, and data on pollution and poverty impacts. FDA reinstated recommendations for increasing female enrollment in clinical trials and including sex-specific data in regulatory submissions.

This action follows a lawsuit by Doctors for America, represented by the Public Citizen Litigation Group, against multiple agencies. U.S. District Judge John Bates ordered the restoration of the identified missing information and the identification of other removed content.

However, CBS News reports that not all information was restored. Several resources, including CDC's mpox vaccination recommendations, remain inaccessible. Judge Bates has given agencies until Friday to restore other essential resources. Some datasets, like a CDC survey on high school students' mental health, are back online, but tools like the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System remain offline. Webpages on gender-related topics and the FDA's guidance on blood donations from gay men also remain inaccessible.

Sources:

Stobbe, M. and Pananjady, K. (2025, February 13). AP News. Federal health agencies restore webpages and datasets following judge’s order. https://apnews.com/article/cdc-fda-websites-restored-ad1ec005261b31986ddcd3d1d17b249d

Tin, A. (2025, February 13). CBS News. Some CDC health data and webpages still offline after judge's order. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/some-cdc-health-data-webpages-still-offline-judge-order/