The Trump administration has ordered a temporary halt to external communications from federal health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, sparking confusion among staff about its duration and impact.
Lena H. Sun, Dan Diamond, and Rachel Roubein report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Federal health agencies have been instructed to pause all external communications, including reports and social media updates.
- The pause affects key agencies such as the FDA, CDC and National Institutes of Health, which provide essential health and scientific data.
- The reasoning behind the pause is unclear, though it could be part of the new administration’s review process or logistical transition.
Key quote:
“We have tried to assume good intentions here, and that they’re just disorganized."
— Federal health official, speaking on the condition of anonymity
Why this matters:
A pause in public health communications can delay important health information and data, potentially hindering responses to public health issues. Transparency from agencies like the CDC and FDA is vital for maintaining trust and guiding informed decisions on health matters.
Read more: The FDA is reassessing how they manage chemicals in our food. Here’s why you should care.
