1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

The CDC's mission is to protect public health and safety through the control and prevention of disease, injury, and disability. Altering or removing scientific data from public view undermines this vital work and impairs the ability of researchers and healthcare providers to effectively serve all Americans. Reliable data is essential for understanding health disparities, identifying at-risk populations, allocating resources appropriately, and developing targeted interventions. Censoring critical information inherently degrades the scientific integrity of the CDC's efforts. The reported plans to remove language related to gender, sexual orientation, and other demographic factors from CDC materials and datasets raise serious concerns. These details are not political; they are crucial epidemiological variables that allow us to accurately track diseases and conditions across diverse communities. Erasing this information would blind us to potential vulnerabilities and impede progress in mitigating threats to public health and reducing inequities. The CDC's role is to follow the evidence and data objectively, not redact facts to align with any administration's ideology. Citizens rely on the CDC as an authoritative, science-based source of information. Compromising that trust puts lives at risk. The CDC must be able to freely communicate its findings and guidance to protect the welfare of all people. I urge you to take action to ensure the CDC can continue its crucial work without politically-motivated censorship of vital public health data and resources.