Federal Agencies Halt Health Communications Under Trump Directive

Introduction

In a move that has sparked widespread criticism from health experts, the Trump administration has ordered federal agencies to halt the dissemination of certain types of health information to the public. The directive, which was issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has had a chilling effect on health communications, as agencies have scrambled to comply with the new rules. As a result, important health information is not reaching the public, and the consequences could be dire.

Details of the Directive

The OMB directive was issued on May 22, 2017, and it applies to all federal agencies that engage in health communications. The directive prohibits agencies from releasing any health information that is not "scientifically valid" or that does not "promote the health and well-being of the American people." Agencies are also required to obtain OMB approval before releasing any health information to the public.

The directive has been widely criticized by health experts, who argue that it is vague and overly broad. They argue that the directive could be used to suppress important health information that does not fit the administration's ideological agenda. For example, the directive could be used to prevent the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from releasing information about the dangers of climate change or the importance of vaccinations.

Impact of the Directive

The directive has had a significant impact on health communications. Many agencies have halted the release of all health information, even information that is not covered by the directive. For example, the CDC has stopped releasing its weekly flu reports and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stopped releasing information about new drug approvals.

The directive has also made it more difficult for journalists to obtain health information from federal agencies. In some cases, agencies have refused to provide information to journalists, even when the information is not covered by the directive. This has made it more difficult for journalists to report on important health issues.

Consequences of the Directive

The directive is having a number of negative consequences for public health. The public is not getting the information it needs to make informed decisions about their health. For example, the public is not getting information about the dangers of climate change or the importance of vaccinations. This could lead to people making poor health decisions that could have serious consequences.

The directive is also undermining the credibility of federal health agencies. The public is losing trust in agencies that are seen as being political rather than scientific. This could make it more difficult for agencies to carry out their mission of protecting public health.

Conclusion

The Trump administration's directive on health communications is a dangerous attack on public health. The directive is vague and overly broad, and it could be used to suppress important health information that does not fit the administration's ideological agenda. The directive is also making it more difficult for journalists to obtain health information from federal agencies, and this is making it more difficult for the public to make informed decisions about their health. The consequences of the directive could be dire.