Connect with us

Health

C.D.C. Site Restores Some Purged Files After ‘Gender Ideology’ Ban Outcry

Published

on

C.D.C. Site Restores Some Purged Files After ‘Gender Ideology’ Ban Outcry

On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention purged from its website thousands of pages that included terms such as “transgender,” “L.G.B.T.” and “pregnant person,” to comply with an executive order barring any material that promoted “gender ideology.”

By Monday, some of the pages had reappeared, in part in response to intense media coverage, backlash from the scientific community and concern for the public’s health, according to a senior official with knowledge of the matter.

The purge had also swept up vaccine information statements, which must be given to patients before they can be immunized; guidelines for contraception; and several pages on how race and racism affect health outcomes. Also removed was a database containing 20 years of H.I.V. data that doctors rely on to determine whether a pregnant woman lives in an area of high H.I.V. prevalence and should be tested for the virus in her third trimester.

Some of these resources were also reinstated, but the return was not entirely smooth. Charts and tables in the H.I.V. database could be reached through a Google search, for instance, but the C.D.C.’s own portal remained broken.

C.D.C. employees are “fully and completely implementing the executive order,” said a senior official who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. But “historical data, articles, and clinical guidelines continue to be available,” the official said. “That essentially is how this is being applied.”

Advertisement

The shake-up accompanied two other directives also aimed at expunging information on certain topics. C.D.C. scientists were ordered late on Friday to withdraw any pending publications, at any scientific journal, that mention the forbidden terms, according to an email viewed by The New York Times.

Separately, a directive prohibiting C.D.C. employees from holding scientific meetings or communicating with other organizations or the public was indefinitely extended on Saturday, when it was expected to lapse, according to another email obtained by The Times.

“I am very fearful and I am very angry about what is happening right now,” said Dr. Ina Park, an expert in H.I.V. and other sexually transmitted infections at the University of California, San Francisco.

The directive also targeted pages on other government websites, including a webpage on Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, under the aegis of the Health and Human Services Department. That provision forbids “discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics), in covered health programs or activities.” It, too, was back online on Monday.

The C.D.C.’s recommendations are the bedrock of clinical practice in the United States. Every hospital’s procedural manuals are filled with the agency’s documents, and clinicians regularly refer to the recommendations, on the website or through the agency’s app.

Advertisement

Now, however, searching for some terms leads to a dead link or to pages that have been stripped of key details, or the search yields a suggestion to explore another topic instead. For instance, a search for the word “abortion” suggests that the user “also try: adoption.”

Some pages — for instance, those on transgender health — were expected to remain absent because they might promote “gender ideology.”

“I have no idea what that term means,” said Dr. Richard Besser, who served as acting director of the C.D.C. in 2009.

“We’re not talking here about ideology — we’re talking about public health,” he added. “We’re talking about people whose lives are being put at risk.”

The disappearance of the pages is already affecting medical care. In Washington State, Dr. Tim Menza, a medical director for King County’s sexual health clinic, worried that hard-won progress against early syphilis in gay and bisexual men would be lost.

Advertisement

Dr. Jessica Weyer, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Concord, N.H., said she could not guide her patients’ choice of contraception without access to the complex eligibility criteria. For instance, the guidelines for birth control include recommendations for patients with various medical conditions. They also list drug interactions that must be taken into account and give providers information on newer methods like vaginal rings.

“If a patient has high blood pressure or migraine headaches, I need to know what’s safe for her,” Dr. Alison Stuebe, an obstetrician-gynecologist in North Carolina, said.

The C.D.C. website is ostensibly being altered to comply with Mr. Trump’s executive orders on diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and “defending women.” But vaccine information statements and contraception guidelines are unrelated to those orders, Dr. Weyer said.

“This just seems like a purposeful removal of important information providing safe contraception, which I view as terrifying,” she said. “It sounds like they want to control women, not defend women.”

Although the executive orders did not mention race, several resources on structural racism and health disparities in certain communities also disappeared on Friday.

Advertisement

In the United States, race and ethnicity are strongly linked to health. Black and Native American women are two to three times as likely as white women to die during pregnancy and after childbirth, and their babies face roughly twice the risk of dying before their first birthday. Diabetes, obesity and other chronic diseases are also much more prevalent, and life expectancy is lower, among racial and ethnic minority groups.

Information on racial disparities is crucial for helping health care providers to focus on the groups most at risk, said Linda Goler Blount, president of the Women’s Black Health Imperative, an advocacy group. During the Covid pandemic, she noted, health researchers discovered that pulse oximeter devices, which measure blood oxygen levels, “didn’t work on people with dark skin.” That disparity might have contributed to higher death rates among communities of color.

“If we can’t collect data by race, ethnic identity and gender identity, we’re going to see mortality rates increase,” Ms. Blount said.

Mr. Trump’s orders purged more than 8,000 web pages across more than a dozen U.S. government websites. In some cases, the executive orders also targeted the work of private citizens.

A memo to the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, which publishes papers from both government and academic researchers, gave employees until 5 p.m. on Friday to scrub the agency’s publication, Patient Safety Network, of terms including “transgender,” “nonbinary,” “L.G.B.T.” and “gender identity.”

Advertisement

Among the roughly 20 research papers that were taken down was one from 2022 detailing how clinicians can better identify emergency room patients at risk of suicide. The paper’s lead author, Dr. Gordon Schiff, is the director of quality and safety for the Harvard Medical School Center for Primary Care; he is not a government scientist. The paper was flagged for a single line: “High risk groups include male sex, being young, veterans, Indigenous tribes, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (L.G.B.T.Q.).”

Dr. Schiff said he was shocked by the new administration’s “extreme censorship.” “This whole idea that the risk factors or commentary should be based on political ideology rather than data and truth is a pretty scary prospect,” he said.

Some experts are exploring the legality of the administration’s deleting content from federal websites and papers written by C.D.C. scientists. But in the case of Dr. Schiff’s paper, the administration clearly crossed the line, said Larry Gostin, director of the World Health Organization Center on Global Health Law.

“To me, that’s classic viewpoint censorship in violation of the First Amendment,” Mr. Gostin said.

“While the administration may be able to silence government health officials carrying out their official duties, it cannot drag private scientists into its web of censorship,” he added. “And all that censorship for expressing a single word with which the government objects.”

Advertisement

Health

Dick Van Dyke says living longer linked to his lack of hate and anger

Published

on

Dick Van Dyke says living longer linked to his lack of hate and anger

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Dick Van Dyke turns 100 this year, and he says he feels “really good.” 

In a recent conversation with People, he credits his attitude for both his age and the fact that he has “no pain, no discomfort.”

“I’ve always thought that anger is one thing that eats up a person’s insides – and hate,” Van Dyke said, explaining how people often ask what he did right.

He added that he’s “rather lazy” and never felt driven by the kind of resentment that can harden over time.

Advertisement

ADDING LAUGHTER TO YOUR LIFE CAN BOOST HEALTH AND HEALING, EXPERTS SAY

Dick Van Dyke credits his longevity largely to avoiding anger and hate rather than following any strict lifestyle regimen. (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

“Sometimes I have more energy than others – but I never wake up in a bad mood,” he told People.

The actor explained that while there were always things and people he didn’t like or approve of, he “never really was able to work up a feeling of hate,” and certainly not “a white-heat kind of hate.”

He contrasted himself with his father, who was “constantly upset by the state of things in his life,” noting to People that his father died at 73.

Advertisement

Van Dyke believes avoiding that emotional pattern is one of the chief things that kept him going.

NEGATIVE THOUGHTS MIGHT BE CHANGING YOUR BRAIN IN SURPRISING WAYS, STUDY SUGGESTS

Modern research appears to back up this idea that emotional states play a meaningful role in long-term health.

Studies on aging adults show that anger can heighten inflammation in the body, raising levels of markers like IL-6 and increasing risk of illness.

He says he has “no pain, no discomfort” at nearly 100, attributing it in part to emotional steadiness. (Monica Schipper/Getty Images)

Advertisement

7 STEPS TO ‘SUPER-AGING’ ARE KEY TO LIVING A LONGER, MORE FULFILLING LIFE, EXPERTS SAY

These effects can accelerate the wear-and-tear process associated with aging.

The broader scientific picture suggests that patterns of hostility or persistent irritation function like a physiological tax, straining the systems that keep the body resilient.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Van Dyke explained in the interview his belief that “people are born with an outlook.”

Advertisement

“I just think I was born with a brighter outlook,” while others, he says, are born having to fight against downward spirals.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Studies suggest reducing hostility and negative emotions can support resilience, slow aging, and potentially extend lifespan. (Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)

“And after 100 years, I think I’m right.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Advertisement

“When you expire, you expire,” he told People. “I don’t have any fear of death for some reason. I can’t explain that but I don’t. I’ve had such a wonderfully full and exciting life… I can’t complain.”

Van Dyke’s 100th birthday falls on Dec. 13.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Continue Reading

Health

‘I Tried Super-Collagen Soup And Lost Two Sizes in a Month—At Age 66!’

Published

on

‘I Tried Super-Collagen Soup And Lost Two Sizes in a Month—At Age 66!’


Advertisement


I Tried Super-Collagen Soup and Lost Two Sizes in a Month at Age 66! | Woman’s World




















Advertisement











Advertisement




Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menu items.


Use escape to exit the menu.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Health

Pumpkin’s secret health powers go far beyond the holidays, experts say

Published

on

Pumpkin’s secret health powers go far beyond the holidays, experts say

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Pumpkin is a staple ingredient in many holiday dishes, like pumpkin pie, breads, soups and even ravioli.

In addition to its seasonal appeal, pumpkin has been shown to have many health benefits.

According to New York-based certified holistic nutritionist Robin DeCicco, pumpkin is a great source of fiber and potassium, which boosts heart health by countering sodium’s effect on blood pressure.

NOT ALL FIBER IS CREATED EQUAL — DOCTORS SHARE WHICH KINDS TRULY SUPPORT LONGEVITY

Advertisement

“For heart health — and health in general — we are always looking for ways to increase our daily intake of fiber, and pumpkin is a good source,” she told Fox News Digital in an interview.

About 1 cup of canned organic pumpkin purée can provide more than 10% of daily potassium and contains about 4 grams of fiber.

Caratenoids found in pumpkin, butternut squash and carrots can help protect against cell damage, experts say. (iStock)

DeCicco suggested adding pumpkin purée to smoothies, oatmeal and yogurt bowls for a “rich creaminess” that also satisfies the appetite.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Advertisement

According to the nutritionist, pumpkin is also very high in antioxidants.

“There is research correlating a diet high in antioxidants to health benefits, specifically lowering the risk of inflammatory conditions,” DeCicco added.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Pumpkin and other brightly colored foods, like butternut squash and carrots, also contain carotenoids, which can help protect against cell damage.

Pumpkin seeds are high in fiber and protein. (iStock)

Advertisement

It’s important to read labels carefully when using items like canned pumpkin purée because some labeled “pumpkin pie mix” most likely include added sugars, the nutritionist warned.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

“Look for the can to only say ‘organic pumpkin’ as the ingredient,” she advised. “If you do want to add a bit of sweetness on your own, add ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger and a small amount of low glycemic sugar, like coconut palm sugar.”

It’s important to read labels carefully when using items like canned pumpkin purée because some labeled “pumpkin pie mix” most likely include added sugars, a nutritionist warned. (iStock)

For a nutrient-dense snack, DeCicco recommends adding pumpkin seeds.

Advertisement

“Pumpkin seeds pack a huge protein and fiber punch to stabilize blood sugar and reduce cravings and are also high in many antioxidants and vitamins for overall health,” she said. “Rich in zinc for immune health — and studied to improve prostate health — they are also high in potassium, magnesium and iron.”

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Just a quarter cup of pumpkin seeds can provide about 10 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber, according to DeCicco. The fiber increases when eating the seeds after they are shelled.

Continue Reading

Trending