Washington, DC— As a result of a lawsuit, AcademyHealth and its co-plaintiffs announced today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has agreed to settle the case and restore federal webpages removed from NIH, CDC, and FDA sites earlier this year. The missing pages covered LGBTQ health, gender and reproductive health, clinical trials, vaccine guidance, HIV/AIDS research, and other essential topics.
"This is a clear win for evidence," said Dr. Aaron Carroll, president and CEO of AcademyHealth. "Access to public health data isn’t just technical, it saves lives as it helps clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and communities make better decisions. Restoring these webpages brings critical guidance and data back within reach."
From maternal and child health, to diabetes prevention, to HIV care, researchers and policymakers rely on transparent, complete datasets to design interventions, track outcomes, and ensure resources reach the communities that need them most. When data disappears, the consequences are immediate, tangible, and harmful.
This victory was strengthened by AcademyHealth’s members and community stakeholders, who shared firsthand examples of how missing or altered data affected research, clinical practice, and policy decisions. Their stories helped build a stronger case and underscore the urgent need to protect public health information.
Settlement Highlights:
- Data Restored: HHS will reinstate all webpages identified in the case that were removed due to the January 2025 executive order or related guidance and have not already been restored under a prior court order.
- Exact Versions: Restored pages will reflect how they appeared online on January 29, 2025; some may include a banner noting restoration.
- Specific Timeline for Completion: Within two weeks of the settlement taking effect (August 26, 2025), HHS will identify which pages meet the criteria and explain any exclusions. HHS will notify plaintiffs when restoration is complete; the case will then be dismissed.
"Joining this case was not a routine decision, nor a political one. AcademyHealth acted in defense of evidence, transparency, and public health," Dr. Carroll added. "This victory demonstrates what is possible when a community of researchers, clinicians, and advocates comes together to protect the foundation of public health."
Media Contact: Lauren Adams, AcademyHealth, lauren.adams@academyhealth.org, 248-284-5935
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Winning this case took courage, commitment, and the collective effort of our members and supporters. This victory shows what AcademyHealth advocacy can achieve, but there’s more work to do to protect public health data, secure research funding, and advance evidence-based health decision-making. Donate today to help us sustain our advocacy, drive innovation, and ensure researchers, clinicians, and communities have the information they need to save lives.