Washington, DC—In response to the sweeping removal of public health information from federal websites, AcademyHealth announced today that it has joined a federal lawsuit seeking to restore access to critical data erased by recent actions by the Trump Administration.
Over the past several months, the administration has directed the deletion of thousands of webpages from federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The missing content includes essential information on LGBTQ health, gender and reproductive issues, clinical trials, vaccine guidance, and HIV/AIDS research.
“We can’t afford to stand on the sidelines while the foundation of evidence-based research—open, public data—is quietly dismantled,” said Dr. Aaron Carroll, president and CEO of AcademyHealth. “Access to trustworthy information allows us to solve real problems, improve health outcomes, and plan for the future. If we don’t stand up for data now, we risk losing the tools we rely on to make progress, regardless of politics.”
Washington State Medical Association et al. v. Kennedy et al. seeks to restore the removed data and establish legal protection against future efforts to suppress public health information.
The stakes are not abstract. One example that stands out is from West Virginia, where data revealed that too many pregnant women were smoking—an issue that directly harms both mothers and their babies. Thanks to this data, health officials were able to launch a successful program to help expectant moms quit smoking. The result? A dramatic drop in smoking rates, from 25 to 10 percent. Fewer babies were born prematurely or with health complications, and fewer babies died before their first birthday. But now, this vital system of data (the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System) is under threat.
AcademyHealth has long championed open, accessible health data under both Democratic and Republican administrations. For instance, under the Biden Administration, AcademyHealth raised concerns with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) about proposed policy changes that could severely restrict research access to vital Medicare and Medicaid data.
“Publicly funded data belongs to the public,” said Carroll. “Whether you're a clinician, a policymaker, or a community advocate, access to trustworthy information is the foundation of good decision-making. Ensuring its availability isn’t a political choice—it’s a public responsibility.”
The lawsuit’s nine plaintiffs are: Washington State Medical Association, Washington State Nurses Association, Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, AcademyHealth, Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, Fast-Track Cities Institute, International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, National LGBT Cancer Network, and Vermont Medical Society.
The Defendants include Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and leaders of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration, Health Resources and Services Administration, and Office of Personnel Management.
Media Contact: Lauren Adams, AcademyHealth, lauren.adams@academyhealth.org, 248-284-5935
Here's How You Can Help
Access to public health data affects all of us—from researchers and clinicians to patients, families, and communities. You can support this effort by helping spread the word and sharing your story:
- Spread the word: Use our Supporter Toolkit to raise awareness and show your support for restoring public health data.
- Share your story: Our legal case is grounded in clear, documented examples of harm but we are continuing to collect additional stories to raise awareness and further support the case as it progresses. If you’ve been affected by missing or altered public health data, use this form to share your experience.
- Donate to support our mission: By donating to AcademyHealth, you help sustain our ability to advocate for transparency, innovation, and progress in health research.